Welfare Department clean up their act

 

September 26, 2008

Zululand OBSERVER

	Welfare Department clean up their act Dalena van Jaarsveld MEMBERS of the public who need to pay a visit to the Department of Social Development in Ngwelezane may find a great improvement in services. So says well-known community member, Ray Peyters, who recently paid a visit to the Ngwelezane offices. 'The security staff at the gate were alert and helpful, the office staff were friendly and efficient and there is great overall improvement.' Peyters pays regular visits to the Department to apply for pension grants because of his involvement with Leisure Gardens and the Golden Oldies in Empangeni and was the first to sound the alarm several weeks ago when the Department was reported to be in a filthy state. He blew the whistle on the welfare chaos around the same time that the Social Welfare Manager at Ngwelezane, Thembinkosi Dlamini (36), was assassinated, after which KZN MEC, Meshack Radebe, spoke out strongly against the conditions at the offices and pledged to bring radical change. According to staff at the Melmoth welfare offices, these tips are helpful when dealing with the Department of Social Development: • make certified copies of all documents mentioned below before going to the offices as none of the offices in Zululand have a photocopier; • an ID book is required for all applications at the offices, as well as a marriage certificate or divorce papers if you have been married; • if you wish to apply for a child grant, you need to have a copy of the child's birth certificate or ID book; • if you wish to apply for a pensioner's grant, you will need a letter from your last employer stating that you have retired or no longer have a job; • if you wish to apply for a disability grant, you will need a letter from a registered medical practitioner to certify that you can no longer work; • make copies of the above mentioned letters, as you might need to refer back to them for future applications; • if you wish to receive your grant through the bank, you will also have to fill in a 'method of payment' form which is obtainable at the offices. For more information and to make sure you have all the correct documentation, contact the head offices in Pretoria on 012 3127500