DEAR Editor,-
Nxumalo Malinga, more commonly known as ‘Mamuvishi’, was a political activist and teacher at Gcilima Primary in ward 9. Mrs Malinga was stationed at Inala Primary School from 1972 and two years later, moved to Gcilima Primary School. To date, she has never received any pension payout from the Department of Education.
The ordeal started when her house was burned down and she lost all her pay slips while fleeing for her life and trying to save her two sons. She visited the school, but they could not find her file.
Since 2007, Mrs Malinga has written several letters to the DOE, begging them to pay out her pension. At first, they denied knowing her so she raised her case with the Public Protector’s Office. They forced the DOE to release her file, which they had initially denied having but surprisingly found at the circuit office in Gamalakhe. She wrote letters to all levels of the DOE, from the ward SEM and circuit manager, to the District Director. She even emailed the office of the MEC, requesting payment and intervention, but all in vain.
After they found the file and issued Mrs Malinga with a copy, the DOE changed its tune and said the file could not assist them process an application for pension payment. They told her she must wait for an assessment and requested several documents from her. She managed to find some of them and submitted them, but has since received nothing except empty promises.
She has made various visits to the Ugu District office to follow up and is sent from pillar to post, never seeing the same consultant, which would make it easier if they could work on and become familiar with her particular case.
Mrs Malinga is appealing to anyone who can assist her put an end to her misery and maybe steer her in the right direction. She can be contacted at 071 0131900.
It is an absolute disgrace that someone can be left to die before receiving her pension. At the birth of freedom in 1994, it gave hope that such treatment would disappear, along with apartheid.
CONCERNED FRIEND
