TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
Pensioners in Pumula constituency, Bulawayo are feeling the heat of low retirement payouts which has left them wallow in abject poverty, the newly-elected legislator for the constituency Sichelesile Mahlangu has said.
Retirees are getting about ZWL$6 000 a month on average, at a time when the family basket of six is above ZWL$70,000.
Mahlangu said the impact of spiralling inflation has eroded pensioners’ meagre payout to the extent that most of them are failing to buy essentials.
Inflation for the month of March stood at 72% from 66% in February.
“Pumula constituency consists of older people mostly. And most of them are pensioners who are paid a little amount of money making it difficult for them to survive. Most of them are guardians as they keep their grandchildren, as most of them are orphans, “she said.
She added: “The other thing is women cannot afford the money needed when they want the house to be transferred to their names after their husbands pass on.
“It is our task as MPs to ease some laws so that they are helped. As an MP this is what I think should be done to help them live a better way of life.”
