A GIYANI widow and her two children have been living in abject poverty for the past 14 years yet they had almost R500000 sitting in government coffers in the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF).
Lucy Munyai says after the death of her policeman husband she was visited by a human resources employee of the SA Police Service who helped her complete claim forms for a pension payout.
She was later told it would take three months to receive payment, but it took the Government Pension Administration Agency (GPAA) 14 years to do so, she says.
Munyai, 43, of Tshivhilidulu village in Giyani survived on the government stipend her children received since they were aged eight and 10.
Life became tougher last year when her 18-year-old son's grant was terminated because as an adult he no longer qualified for a child grant.
To augment their income, Munyai washed clothes for her neighbour who pays her R500 every fortnight.
For the first time in their life Munyai's children will sleep on beds. She bought two single beds and bedding for them after receiving her money last Wednesday.
She also plans to refurbish their home with a portion of her payout after investing half of it with a reputable insurance company, she says.
"I'm also happy that I can now take my eldest son to a special needs school as he is a very slow learner," Munyai says.
Consumer Line took up Munyai's matter with the government in September last year after she battled to receive the payout on her own.
Her misery ended last week when the fund paid her benefits in two instalments, inclusive of accumulated interest.
A semi-literate Munyai confirmed that she received her backdated monthly pension last Wednesday. The payment was backdated to 2001 - after the death of her husband.
Two days later, she confirmed that she received a lump sum which was processed after it was taxed.
Her eldest son, who is also entitled to get his share, will receive the money as soon as he provides his banking details.
Munyai says despite the obstacles her family experienced over the years, she was blessed because her sons did not give her a hard time even though she was unable to provide adequately for them.
"My only worry was that I could not take my son to school on time," says Munyai.
She will also be receiving a monthly pension payment until her death.
Explaining why it took the fund more than a decade to pay Munyai, GEPF spokesman Ofentse Seleka says her share was paid into the Unclaimed Fund in March 2011 after failure to trace the widow.
He said a letter was sent to Munyai in October 2007 and the GEPF did not receive any response.
Seleka says Munyai was finally traced by the Government Pension Administration Agency in October 2013.
He said they were also provided with incorrect proof of contribution by the employer of Munyai's late husband in July last year.
Seleka said they only received a new updated proof of contribution in mid-November.
"Although it takes a lot of time occasionally, as we have to follow all internal processes, this demonstrates that GPAA is really committed [to] resolving or reducing unclaimed benefits as it is evident with Ms Munyai's case," says Seleka.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Widow's 14-year wait over
A GIYANI widow and her two children have been living in abject poverty for the past 14 years yet they had almost R500000 sitting in government coffers in the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF).
Lucy Munyai says after the death of her policeman husband she was visited by a human resources employee of the SA Police Service who helped her complete claim forms for a pension payout.
She was later told it would take three months to receive payment, but it took the Government Pension Administration Agency (GPAA) 14 years to do so, she says.
Munyai, 43, of Tshivhilidulu village in Giyani survived on the government stipend her children received since they were aged eight and 10.
Life became tougher last year when her 18-year-old son's grant was terminated because as an adult he no longer qualified for a child grant.
To augment their income, Munyai washed clothes for her neighbour who pays her R500 every fortnight.
For the first time in their life Munyai's children will sleep on beds. She bought two single beds and bedding for them after receiving her money last Wednesday.
She also plans to refurbish their home with a portion of her payout after investing half of it with a reputable insurance company, she says.
"I'm also happy that I can now take my eldest son to a special needs school as he is a very slow learner," Munyai says.
Consumer Line took up Munyai's matter with the government in September last year after she battled to receive the payout on her own.
Her misery ended last week when the fund paid her benefits in two instalments, inclusive of accumulated interest.
A semi-literate Munyai confirmed that she received her backdated monthly pension last Wednesday. The payment was backdated to 2001 - after the death of her husband.
Two days later, she confirmed that she received a lump sum which was processed after it was taxed.
Her eldest son, who is also entitled to get his share, will receive the money as soon as he provides his banking details.
Munyai says despite the obstacles her family experienced over the years, she was blessed because her sons did not give her a hard time even though she was unable to provide adequately for them.
"My only worry was that I could not take my son to school on time," says Munyai.
She will also be receiving a monthly pension payment until her death.
Explaining why it took the fund more than a decade to pay Munyai, GEPF spokesman Ofentse Seleka says her share was paid into the Unclaimed Fund in March 2011 after failure to trace the widow.
He said a letter was sent to Munyai in October 2007 and the GEPF did not receive any response.
Seleka says Munyai was finally traced by the Government Pension Administration Agency in October 2013.
He said they were also provided with incorrect proof of contribution by the employer of Munyai's late husband in July last year.
Seleka said they only received a new updated proof of contribution in mid-November.
"Although it takes a lot of time occasionally, as we have to follow all internal processes, this demonstrates that GPAA is really committed [to] resolving or reducing unclaimed benefits as it is evident with Ms Munyai's case," says Seleka.
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
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