Omuthiya councillor warns against abuse of pensioners

Omuthiya constituency regional councillor Erastus Nekomba has warned against the neglect and exploitation of elderly people after routine household visits this week uncovered two instances of pensioners living under dire conditions.

Nekomba said the old-age grant was introduced to help senior citizens live with dignity, but some relatives are instead using vulnerable pensioners for their own benefit.

During a visit to Oshiya Shomatope village earlier this week, Nekomba and officials from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, including a social worker, and members of the Namibian Police found the home of an 80-year-old woman in a poor state, describing it as a health hazard.