For 89-year-old

AN 89-year-old woman from Khujwana Village outside Tzaneen discovered she was the victim of identity theft when she went to draw her pension grant in December.

While at the pay stations, she was told that she was no longer registered on the system.

Melita Madiatla Moseamedi had a bleak Christmas as she was unable to draw the pension money on which she depends. Her name could not be tracked on the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) system.

She immediately went to the Tzaneen Home Affairs branch, where it was confirmed that the name on her registered identity had been changed to “Maria Sethole”.

“Home Affairs must just give me my ID and dignity back. Without it I cannot eat. My grandchildren will starve.

“I spent Christmas without money, without anything to eat. My son is currently unemployed and that means we all rely on that grant. Please give me my ID back,” Moseamedi cried.

Her daughter, Grace Mangena, said her mother was advised by Home Affairs to apply for a new identity document and only if there was a problem with it being issued would they launch an investigation.

“The branch supervisor told us he will only start investigations if the ID we applied for now doesn’t come back. But my fear is what if the investigations take a long time? What will she eat?” she asked.

Moseamedi was given a three-month temporary card by Sassa. However, she will stop receiving her grant unless her new ID document is registered on the system.

Department of Home Affairs communications officer Thabo Mokgola said identity fraud generally involved Home Affairs personnel and that the matter would have to be investigated. “Such fraud usually only happens when Home Affairs officials are involved. But we will investigate the matter,” he said. – Health-e News

‘I had to spend Christmas without money’