Public Protector to launch systemic
intervention into issues of pensions of ex employees of
former homeland governments
25 March 2010
Public Protector Adv Thuli Madonsela will approach the
Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) in an effort to
resolve issues relating pensions of former employees of the
erstwhile TBVC homelands.
This follows her meeting yesterday with the Vhembe Concerned
Pension Group in Bungeni near Louis Trichadt, Limpopo, where
she also interacted with community members.
The group, which represents former employees of the defunct
Venda government, alleged that the GEPF was denying them
standard pension benefits. They have lodged a complaint of
improper and prejudicial conduct against the GEPF.
“The issue of pensions from former homeland states is one of
the matters that deeply concern me and for which I have
decided to go for a systemic intervention,” Adv Madonsela
told a stakeholder consultative forum in Polokwane today.
The Public Protector also committed to attend to the service
delivery complaints raised by the community of Bungeni.
These included delayed processing of applications for social
grants, identity documents, Unemployed Insurance Fund,
Workers’ Compensation, Legal Aid, Court Appeals and RDP
houses.
Some of the government departments that account for the
majority of the 1 600 complaints the Public Protector
receives annually from Limpopo, such as Home Affairs and
Labour brought their mobile offices to the event to assist
complainants on site.
Meanwhile Adv Madonsela has welcomed a commitment from a
Member of the Provincial Legislature and Chairperson of the
Standing Committee on Public Participation and Petitions
Lehlohonolo Masoga that his committee and the Legislature
will support the Public Protector in executing its mandate.
A formal Memorandum of Understanding between the committee,
the Public Protector and other chapter 9 and 10 Institutions
will be entered into to promote collaboration for speedy and
expeditious resolution of complaints.
Adv Madonsela also welcomed the promise by the Executive
Mayor of Capricorn District Municipality Motalane Monakedi,
who committed his municipality to provide answers when
Public Protector investigators approach them.
She said her office had received a number of complaints from
third parties regarding alleged tender irregularities in
various municipalities across Limpopo. “I have assembled a
team to undertake this task. I have also initiated talks
with the Auditor General with a view to conduct a joint
investigation,” she said.
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