MAKONDE – He is unemployed, disabled and destitute. His troubles became worse when he went to collect his monthly disability grant four months ago. Officials at the pay point told him that his money had been stopped and since then, he has not received anything from the state. He gathered enough courage to go and queue every month, but he goes home hungry, with empty pockets.

This is the touching story of Reckson Phalanndwa (47) of Makonde-Vhutshavhelo, whose suffering was highlighted to Mirror by a concerned villager. Reckson suffered a severe stroke in 2000 and since then, he depends on family members, as he has lost the use of both his upper and lower limbs. He seldom moves his body and he needs someone to lift him into his wheelchair. He spends most of his time in bed as he cannot move the wheelchair on his own.

Reckson says he is worried because he was not consulted when his disability grant was stopped. “I have been queuing for four months and officials keep on telling me to come and check for the money the next month. I have a person who looks after me and she needs to be paid. Besides that, I also need food and other basic items but it is hard because I no longer have a source of income. I cannot even go for checkups as there is no money here at home. How can this happen to me only, as others are getting their grants without problems?”

Reckson now survives on his aging mother’s old-age grant. “The money is not enough for both of us and what I need is for the state to reinstate my disability grant. I was permanently recommended for the grant and I cannot understand why they suddenly stopped the money without notice.”

His mother, Masindi (92), says the problem has affected her son’s health and it needs to be attended to urgently. “His health has deteriorated because of the problem. They must just give him what rightfully belongs to him. It is sad to note that those who can do everything for themselves are getting their money, but my disabled son still gets a raw deal from the government.”

Mr Nditsheni Mudau of the Department of Health and Social Development says the department is seriously concerned about what happened to Reckson. He said the beneficiaries of the disability grant are expected to renew them every five months. “Reckson’s disability grant ceased in June, because it was not renewed. We will urgently hand this case to our assessment panel and Reckson will be assisted to fill in the required documentation so that he may get his grant as a matter of urgency. He will obviously get his money in the near future.”

Mudau immediately headed for Reckson’s home to make arrangements for the transport and other logistics to take Reckson for the renewal of his grant.