Edward Maahlamela
A Limpopo family is struggling to secure funds left by their late husband and father and now depend on handouts to survive.
Robert Mathebula, who lived at Shipungu village near Nkowankowa outside Tzaneen, had worked as a clerk at the department of agriculture. He was partially blind when he died.
The family include his blind wife Flora Pilusa, 41, her two blind children - Lester, 23, and Wisani, 13 - and Themba, 21, the only child who is not blind in the family.
Lester said yesterday: "The department of agriculture keeps on beating about the bush. They promised us heaven and earth but nothing has happened.
He said they had tried different offices in the province, including the Legal Aid Board and the public protector without success.
"We need urgent help, we are living a difficult life," Lester said.
The family's troubles started two years ago when they had to share the first pension payout with three other children who were born out of wedlock.
Pilusa said: "My husband's former employers have been unfair to me and my children. "All this happens because we are a blind family. I have lost trust in our government."
The blind mother had three children with the late Mathebula, who died two years ago after a long illness.
Segoati Mahlangu, the senior communications manager of the department of agriculture confirmed that they had received a complaint from the family regarding the estate of the late Mathebula.
"We've submitted the necessary documents to the relevant directorate for further processing before they can get their payouts," said Mahlangu.
Red tape keeps family in poverty as late dad's fund is locked
Edward Maahlamela
A Limpopo family is struggling to secure funds left by their late husband and father and now depend on handouts to survive.
Robert Mathebula, who lived at Shipungu village near Nkowankowa outside Tzaneen, had worked as a clerk at the department of agriculture. He was partially blind when he died.
The family include his blind wife Flora Pilusa, 41, her two blind children - Lester, 23, and Wisani, 13 - and Themba, 21, the only child who is not blind in the family.
Lester said yesterday: "The department of agriculture keeps on beating about the bush. They promised us heaven and earth but nothing has happened.
He said they had tried different offices in the province, including the Legal Aid Board and the public protector without success.
"We need urgent help, we are living a difficult life," Lester said.
The family's troubles started two years ago when they had to share the first pension payout with three other children who were born out of wedlock.
Pilusa said: "My husband's former employers have been unfair to me and my children. "All this happens because we are a blind family. I have lost trust in our government."
The blind mother had three children with the late Mathebula, who died two years ago after a long illness.
Segoati Mahlangu, the senior communications manager of the department of agriculture confirmed that they had received a complaint from the family regarding the estate of the late Mathebula.
"We've submitted the necessary documents to the relevant directorate for further processing before they can get their payouts," said Mahlangu.
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