President Peter Mutharika has referred demands by former mineworkers from Thyolo for the recovery of their pension funds in South Africa to the relevant government ministries.
Mutharika’s spokesperson, Cathy Maulidi, said the ministries concerned are best placed to respond to the former mineworkers’ concerns.
The former miners from Khonjeni say they have been waiting for nearly 30 years to receive pension money they believe is being held by companies in South Africa.
Their chairperson, Champion James Jeke, said they were asking President Mutharika to intervene and help establish where the money is.
“We believe the President has the capacity to help us find our money,” Mr Jeke said.
Some former mineworkers who worked under THEBA and WENERA, including Diston Andireya and Mary Chakhota, said the delay had left them struggling to afford basic necessities.
They said some former miners were facing difficulties with food, accommodation and supporting their children.
Esita Chimphote said the financial difficulties had also affected children of the former workers, with some parents unable to pay school fees.
She alleged that some people had resorted to crime and prostitution as they struggled to survive.
The former mineworkers are now hoping the government will help resolve the issue and enable them to access the money they say they are owed.
