A poor 73-year-old man has been battling with the Department of Health and Social Development for six months to have his child’s application for a support grant processed, but in vain.

Thanyani Rathina of Matangari-Dube said he applied for the support grant of his child, Ahuna (11), on 26 July last year at Makwerela.

“I completed all the required documentation and I was told to go and collect the money at our local pay point during the third month. I was happy because I knew my child would enjoy life like others, but my dreams were short-lived because I never got the money. I went to the Makwarela government offices to enquire and I was referred to their offices in Thohoyandou. At Thohoyandou, I was told to go home, as they said they were still busy processing my application. How long will they process my application while my son dies of hunger? It is really not fair because I believe there is someone who is not doing his job properly…”

Except for Ahuna, Thanyani stays with his other two kids, Ndoamba (9) and Muambeli (7). Their mother moved out of the house to settle with another man in the nearby village, following family differences. Thanyani, who depends on his old-age grant for survival, says the grants for Ndoamba and Muambeli do not give him problems and he cannot understand why Ahuna’s grant is taking so long to be processed.

“I’m tired of moving up and down to try and fix this problem. I no longer have money to travel to Thohoyandou and Makwarela. I am now confused as I have been taken from pillar to post. I urgently need the money for the benefit of my child because he is entitled to receive it…”

Mirror visited the Department of Health and Social Development at Thohoyandou to find out what had happened to Ahuna’s child support grant application.

“Everything has been processed up to this point. Thanyani must go to his local pay point and he will get all the money owed to his son next month (March)...’’