Three die in pension line
2003-02-24 23:05
Port Elizabeth - The angry MEC for social development in the Eastern Cape, Neo Moerane, is demanding that Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) carries the funeral costs of three elderly people from Mount Fletcher who died after waiting at a pension pay point for three days without food or water.
CPS manages the payout of state grants in the former Transkei.
Hundreds of people gathered at the community hall early on Wednesday morning, but the CPS officials never arrived.
Superintendent Christian Lwana said two women, both in their seventies, died at the pay point later that evening.
"The people waited through the night and the next day for their money, but CPS's officials only arrived shortly before eight on the Friday evening.
Shortly after, an 81-year-old man collapsed and died outside the building.
I have never seen anything like it. The people were hungry and very weak," Lwana said.
The chairperson of the standing committee on social development, Mike Basopu, said CPS ignored clauses in the service contract with the department and might be prosecuted.
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