HIV positive man told to die first in order to claim pension

A Lower Gweru man living with HIV has been reportedly told to "die" in order for him to receive his contributions grant from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA).

Mr Jabulani Ncube (41), who retired from his work in 2000 on medical grounds, had gone to seek medication funds from his NSSA contributions at the authority's Midlands offices where he then claimed he was told to "die" first before he could receive a NSSA funeral grant.

The shocked Mr Ncube then walked into Chronicle Gweru offices sobbing, drawing the attention of staff members and clients doing business at the offices.

The incident occurred on Friday last week.

In an interview, Mr Ncube who was overwhelmed by emotion and took close to 20 minutes to compose himself so he could relate his story, said he was shocked when he went to NSSA Gweru offices to claim his contributions only to be told that he should "die" first for him to receive his grant.

"I am HIV positive and I am from NSSA offices where I had gone to get my contributions so that I could raise funds for my medication. I was, however, shocked when an official at NSSA who attended to me indicated that the only way I could get my grant is when I die. I tried to get an explanation but another female official also told me the same sad news. It's really shocking," said Mr Ncube as he struggled to contain the tears.

Mr Ncube said he retired from his job at a Kwekwe based company, Electroreps, where he was employed as an electrician in 2000 on medical grounds.

"I was diagnosed with cancer in 1999 and then retired in 2000 after serving the company from 1990 with NSSA deducting money on my pay on a monthly basis. I then went to South Africa after recovering in 2005 and later tested HIV positive. My wife later died and right now the cancer problem is resurfacing. This was when I decided to visit NSSA to get assistance only to be told that I should die to get a grant," he said.

Mr Ncube said he was put under chemotherapy for free in South Africa.

"I could not continue staying in South Africa because when I was put under chemotherapy for the Cell B lyphonia cancer, which I was diagnosed of, I could not continue doing piece jobs and I decided to come back home," he said.

Mr Ncube removed his clothes to show a tube attached to his stomach, which drains bile from his body.

Mr Ncube said he was struggling to raise money to go for check ups.

"I should go for check ups after every three weeks and for that I require about $200 to buy medication each time I visit the hospital. I am now staying at my rural home in Lower Gweru waiting to die," he said.

Contacted for comment, NSSA Midlands provincial public relations officer Mrs Josephine Moses said she was not aware of Mr Ncube's case.

She, however, said Mr Ncube could have received his retirement grant and that he could have been left with only a NSSA funeral grant.

"I am not aware of that particular incident but to my understanding, it could be that this person has since received his retirement grant and what he is now left with is the funeral grant. You can speak to my bosses for further clarifications," she said.

An official from the NSSA Midlands provincial pensions and benefits fund office said Mr Ncube could still get his contributions if he avails his medical card.

"There is no way at his age Mr Ncube could have left with only a NSSA funeral grant. What he only has to do is to bring his medical cards so that he could be given a NSSA form, which he is supposed to fill for his grant to be processed," she said.