Mom fights to prove that she’s alive

A LANGA mother is having a hard time convincing the Department of Home Affairs that she is alive.

Phyllis Kilifile learnt of her status as “deceased” when she went to Home Affairs on December 6 to request a death certificate for her daughter, who had died the previous month.

Now the 63-year-old risks not being able to collect her SA Social Security Agency payment on February 1, after she was unable to collect her pension on January 3.

Kilifile’s daughter, Buyisile, died of natural causes but, according to the family, Home Affairs records indicate that Phyllis Kilifele is deceased.

“I went to Home Affairs in Bellville in January and took all the papers, but they say I am still dead,” she said.

Kilifile’s son, Andile, who lives and works in Johannesburg, confirmed his mom’s story. He too has been trying, unsuccessfully, to convince Home Affairs that it was his sister, and not his mom, who had died.

“When we first learnt of the mistake, we went to Home Affairs and submitted all the documentation, but nothing was done,” he said.

When Weekend Argus spoke to Andile on Wednesday, he said Home Affairs records still showed his mom as “deceased”. He said the last time his mom received her pension payout was on December 1.

“This business is making me crazy,” said a frustrated Andile.

The family are now consulting with attorneys to institute legal action against the Western Cape Department of Health.

Andile said the “error” was first made at Somerset Hospital where the death of his mother was mistakenly recorded.

Yesterday Phyllis Kilifele’s status on the Home Affairs database was still “deceased”.

Home Affairs spokesperson Thabo Mokgola said the matter has been referred to the provincial Home Affairs manager.

“He has instituted an investigation and will delegate an official to contact the family to assist.”