The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection has expressed deep concern over continued reports of abuse and exploitation of senior citizens, following several disturbing cases involving the misuse of elderly welfare recipients’ pensions.
Minister for Social Protection, Sashi Kiran highlighted the tragic case of 86-year-old Malakai Kauwale, whose bank card and pension were stolen at an ATM in Suva, as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of senior citizens and persons living with disabilities.
She revealed that the Ministry has also received another serious case involving the embezzlement of funds from a person living with stroke-related and vision impairments, which is currently under investigation.
Kiran says concerns over the abuse and exploitation of elderly persons under the social pension scheme have repeatedly surfaced during community visits and village meetings.
She says exploiting a senior citizen is not only a crime but a profound failure of societal values.
She adds that Police data indicates that in 2024 alone, nearly 2,000 reports were lodged with the Fiji Police Force relating to crimes committed against senior citizens, with 62 per cent involving property theft, often perpetrated by individuals known to the victims.
While the Ministry continues to advise elderly citizens to protect their bank cards and PIN numbers, Kiran acknowledged the challenges many face in doing so.
The Minister is urging families to take a more active role in assisting elderly relatives with their banking needs, saying that providing a trusted escort to the bank can significantly reduce the risk of scams and theft.
Kiran also highlighted the Ministry’s third-party withdrawal provision, which allows a trusted individual to collect welfare allowances on behalf of recipients who are unable to do so due to old age, disability, illness, or immobility.
Under this arrangement, recipients must formally nominate a third party, with approval and documentation required by the Ministry to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.
Details of both parties are reflected on pension cards, and families may be visited by Ministry officials for monitoring purposes.
The Ministry says it will continue working closely with the Fiji Police Force to ensure those who target the elderly are held fully accountable under the law, and people are being urged to report any attempts to scam or exploit vulnerable individuals.
The Ministry also says that it is in the process of establishing a dedicated toll-free hotline, expected to be operational by the end of the month, to handle complaints related to social protection schemes.
For more information or to report concerns regarding welfare payments, people can visit their nearest Social Welfare Office or contact the Ministry on 9907741.
