Audit to weed out pension cheats begins

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
A NATIONWIDE audit of pensioners who served in the civil service is underway as the government seeks ways to curb payments to undeserving people. The exercise, which started on Monday, is expected to be concluded on October 30.

On Monday and yesterday, hundreds of pensioners converged at Milton Junior School in Bulawayo where the vetting process is being conducted. The government’s pensions administrator for Bulawayo province Sindile Khumalo said the vetting process was important for updating their database.

“We’re updating our systems. We want to ascertain the total number of pensioners we have. We want to identify the bona fide pensioners at provincial level,” said Khumalo.

She said pensioners would be given life certificates that will ensure that even after their death, deserving beneficiaries benefit. In the event of death, the government’s pension fund benefits spouses of pensioners and their children who are under the age of 18.

Khumalo urged pensioners to come in their numbers so that their particulars, including pension numbers can be captured. Details of those who would benefit in case of death are also required.

“This is a national process done at provincial and district level. All those who are accessing pension must come forward. This will enable pensioners to know the procedures to follow in ensuring that their children and spouses benefit from the fund when they die. We’ve cases of people not benefiting from pensions when they are supposed to,” said Khumalo.

Scores of pensioners yesterday complained that the vetting process was slow, but applauded the government for the exercise.

Jabulani Ndlovu, one of the pensioners who had successfully registered, said the vetting process guarantees that deserving family members benefit in case of death.

“We’ve been receiving our pension but this will ensure that in case of death, relatives don’t override deserving people of their right to claim. My pension should be accessed by my children and my wife,” said Ndlovu.