Dear Editor,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to highlight the plight of a resident of Kwakwani. His name is Patrick Clinket and his NIS number is B-16253148.
Mr Clinket is off the job since May 2009 because his right foot was surgically amputated. All of his medical documents from the hospital were submitted to the NIS Linden branch office and verified as having been submitted. Every time his daughter makes contact with the Linden office, she is told that the claim is being processed.
On September 29, 2010, after not visiting the Kwakwani community for three months, the NIS inspector was approached by Mr Clinket’s wife concerning his claim. The inspector was so surprised that she immediately called the office in the presence of the wife. There she was told that the claim documents cannot be found. What is this poor man supposed to do upon hearing such nonsense in this modern age after doing what is right and waiting for sixteen months?
With NIS inspectors now infrequent visitors to Kwakwani, and the return bus fare being $4200, what will happen to our poor pensioners?
Editor, the treatment given to Mr Clinket and all the NIS pensioners in Kwakwani must be condemned in the strongest possible language. They have worked and paid their contributions so that they can be financially comfortable in case of sickness and when they are of retirement age. Their benefits must be processed and given to them in the shortest reasonable possible time.
Your faithfully,
Jocelyn Morian
Editor’s note
We are sending a copy of this letter to Ms Dianne Lewis-Baxter, PRO of the NIS for any comment she might wish to make.