Sophie Zimu, the aunt of a man who passed away at the Middelburg SASSA offices on October 7, has come forward to express her deepest gratitude to all the staff members for the amount of support they gave her, moments leading up to her nephew’s passing.

According to Sophie, her nephew, Robert Bennett Robane (48), was struggling with a chronic illness and had been in and out of the hospital most of his life.

On the morning leading to his untimely passing, he was complaining of dizziness and a stomachache. He was scheduled to see a doctor at the SASSA offices on that day regarding paperwork for his social grant, which was stopped after he was hospitalised for three years.

Sophie said she planned to take him to the hospital after the doctor’s appointment, but he unexpectedly died before she could do that.

She said when they got to the SASSA offices, she left him in the car, went inside and explained her situation and she was treated as a priority.
Staff members then gave her a wheelchair and took him to an office, where he started to complain about stomach pains.

Robert later asked to use the bathroom, and when he returned, the doctor told Sophie that Robert’s pulse was very weak. He then died on the premises.

His funeral took place in Mhluzi last Sunday.

Sophie said she wants to thank all the staff at SASSA Middelburg, the doctor, the social workers, and everyone who stood by her when she was faced with the unimaginable.

She told the Middelburg Observer that the social workers even went to Robert’s home following his passing to check on his family.

“Ever since his passing, I’ve been devastated. I need counselling to cope because it is as if he passed away in my hands. However, I am deeply thankful for all the support I had in his last moments. I wish they could do the same for others who may be faced with such a situation.”

Sophie said Robert will be remembered for his smile and happy personality. Despite his illness, Robert loved people and was very friendly with everyone.