Also confused and frustrated

I read the article in the COURIER, Re: Proof of Life verification, and I fully agree with the writer, I am also confused and frustrated the way SASSA deals with the pensioners.

The advertisements placed in various newspapers are so difficult to understand; have SASSA ever thought that there are many old people that have little or no education? Why use words like “voice activation”, “utilisation of PIN codes”, “print verification” and “validation of your voice”, “procurator” and “beneficiary”?

All we ask is that SASSA use plain and simple words, so that the elderly can understand to follow instructions, or send officials to the old age homes to explain to the pensioners what they are trying to communicate.

According to SASSA, the reason they are implementing this system is to ensure that the pensioners drawing their pensions are alive, because the grants continue to be drawn by dishonest people long after the recipient has died. Because of the corruption taking place, millions of pensioners must now suffer needlessly by having their voice activated or their fingerprints verified for the rest of their lives. What a disgrace!

It is normal procedure that the Department of Home Affairs must record the death of whoever dies. Why does SASSA not communicate with Home Affairs to find out who of the beneficiaries have passed away, and save the pensioners such inhuman, cold-hearted, insensitive practices?

Mary-Anne Miljo