SHABALALA – During the senior-citizens parliament at the legislature, it was said that the rights of the elderly should not be violated, but they continue to be in some communities.

Mpumalanga News learnt that Gogo Elizabeth Mthembu (73) is not enjoying a cent of her pension grant since 2007.

Instead of enjoying it her children fight over it and it has been reported that 14 members of her family rely on her money.

This incident came to light after one of her kids allegedly attacked another family members with an axe and she was rushed to Matikwane Hospital. According to neighbours, the fighting over Mthembu’s money had become a part of life. “We are worried about this whole drama. Gogo was supposed to enjoy her grant, but it’s not happening,” one of them said.

“We’ve grown used to fights on pension payout days. Since she’s so old, she can no longer afford to fetch the money herself, but usually sends one of the children.

“That’s when the arguments begin. This is abuse at its best. She has often gone to bed on an empty stomach because of the arguments. We feel her rights are being violated by her kids.

“We sometimes give her food because when they buy the groceries, it won’t even last a month.

“Instead of behaving well and allowing her to buy a bed for herself, it is all spent on them and they are crammed into her tiny RDP house,” said the neighbour.

Voicing her frustrations, Mthembu said, “I can’t cope when they fight, I just lock myself inside the house and pretend not to hear anything as they use a lot of vulgar language. I really need help. This is my home, where am I supposed to have peace and get love and respect.

“Sengifisa nekuduka nelive ngenca yalesimo singetulu kwemandla ami, ngiyafisa kutsi ngibe nekutfula empilweni,” she explained. Provincial spokesperson for the department of social development, Mr Ronnie Masilela said, “As a department, we will visit the family soon so that we can check on how we are going to solve this problem.”