THOHOYANDOU – Approximately 2 000 members of Dabalorivhuwa Pension Forum (DPF) gathered outside the old Thohoyandou parliamentary buildings on Saturday in an attempt to recover pension money allegedly owed to the 24 000 workers of the former Venda government by the state.

According to Mr Tshifhiwa Makhale, the President of DPF, the money owed to the beneficiaries is about R2 billion and the forum is very confident that the money will be paid out as soon as the legal battle with the state is put to rest. Amongst the crowd were old men and ladies who were using walking sticks and some who have already lost their sight.

DPF was formed on 29 December, 1996, after the workers of the former Venda government were not satisfied with the way in which the then state handled their pension payouts shortly after privatizing the pension fund.

Makhale told the crowd that DPF’s case was dismissed by the Pretoria High Court in March last year, but they fought hard until they successfully won their appeal in November last year.

“Through our lawyers, we have managed to prepare our appeal records and our case will be heard in Bloemfontein soon. We are sure we are going to win because we know the money is there. When the former Venda government privatized the pension fund in 1992, many people received very little and some did not even get anything. Some even died without getting their money and this legal battle has gone a very long way…”

Makhale said that, on 26 March 1996, his records indicated that the money owed to the workers was R828 205 191. “The money is now in the region of R2 billion and we are totally confident that the beneficiaries will get what is due to them in the near future. Nothing will stop us in this war because we are demanding something that we are sure of. After accessing the funds, we will seek the services of reputable accountants to assist in the distribution formula amongst the beneficiaries.”

During the meeting, the crowd unanimously agreed that each beneficiary would contribute R50 towards legal costs for the appeal. They also agreed that the due date for payment will be the 30th June. They were advised to deposit their money at ABSA, cheque account 4050222753 and forward their deposit slips to DPF’s office in Thohoyandou.

Mr Thivhulawi Libuda (49) of Mukula village was among the people who attended the meeting. He told Mirror: “We have been in this legal battle for a long time and we hope this thing will now come to an end. We need the money because we have worked very hard for it. We will not rest until we get what rightfully belongs to us.”