Tragedy at Verulam Labour Department: 60-year-old dies while seeking pension

A 60-YEAR-OLD Phoenix man died while waiting to apply for his pension at the Department of Labour in Verulam, with his family alleging that staff at a nearby government clinic refused to assist despite being just 50 metres away. 

Manikum Pillay, of Phoenix, collapsed and and died while waiting in line with his wife, Rachel Pillay, to submit his SASSA pension application. He sustained a serious head injury when he fell.

According to Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), paramedics arrived shortly after 9am and declared him dead at the scene.

“My husband and I went to the SASSA offices in Verulam. Manikum turned 60 last month and wanted to apply for his pension,” said 58-year-old Rachel. 

“We were waiting in the queue from early in the morning, and the line was long. My husband was feeling hot, so he said he was going to step out of the line and sit down for a while. While he was seated he fell and hit his head on the floor. I’m not sure what happened,” she said.

Rachel described a desperate scene as bystanders ran across the road to the clinic for help, only to be met with what she claimed was inaction. 

“They just sent a wheelchair which was of no help because he was passed out. When the clinic staff were asked for a stretcher, they said no. They did not bother to even check on my husband's condition,” she claimed.

The grieving widow said her husband’s body remained on the ground for over three hours after his death. 

“It was very traumatising for me because I did not think he would die. I thought when they stopped the bleeding he would be fine. We waited for help for 20 minutes and I only realised a while  later that he had died,” she said.

“His body was on the ground from 8.30am until 11.45am,” said Rachel. 

Their daughter, Jasmine Pillay, 24, described the family’s anguish. 

“My dad was excited for his pension. He said that at least he would not be stressed anymore because we would have extra income at home. He worked at a manufacturing company, packing bottles in boxes. It was tiring at his age but he always pushed through. I am the only one working at home now. My older brother has an illness and cannot work. I will get a second job in order to help run the house and take over from my dad.”

Jasmine said she spoke to her father minutes before his death. 

“He told me to eat. When I got the call that he had fallen, I was shocked. They said he was bleeding and I should rush over. But a few minutes later, I was told he had no pulse and had passed on.”

She criticised the lack of basic facilities and urgency at the SASSA offices. 

“There are no chairs and the heat is unbearable. The workers tried to help but after a while, they continued working. People walked past my dad’s body on the floor with no care. No one bothered to even ask if he was okay. My dad never complained about anything. He quietly went to take a seat and unfortunately he fell and died.”

She described her father as a humble, hardworking, and devoted.

“We are struggling to accept his death. It was sudden and we are all heartbroken,” said Jasmine.

Aaqib Khan, a witness who was also at the offices that morning with his wife, described the response from the clinic as “cold” and “uncaring”. 

Khan said that Pillay and his wife were among the only four that were already in the line when they arrived at 8am.

“I saw him collapse and hit his head. He started convulsing. I ran to the clinic, which is right across the road. I asked for help but they said he must be brought with a wheelchair. I told them that was not possible. I pleaded with the manager. She said if I could not carry him to the clinic, they would not assist.”

When Khan got back to the scene, Pillay was pronounced dead by Reaction Unit paramedics. 

“If they had just helped, the man could have survived. Nurses take an oath to help even when they are not on duty but the staff at the clinic refused. They were not busy at the time. They were all just standing around and talking. I felt their arrogance and their unwillingness to help.”

He said he wished he could have saved Pillay’s life. 

“I felt helpless and useless not being able to save him, it was very sad. I am traumatised and I think about that day non-stop. He was a pensioner who needed help. He was denied a basic right to health care,” said Khan. 

Shontel de Boer, MPL, Democratic Alliance KZN Spokesperson for Social Development, said: “Mr Pillay, a father, brother, uncle and friend to many, collapsed and struck his head on the tiled floor while standing in line – as so many senior citizens are forced to do for hours on end. This, without ever getting the chance to receive the social assistance he was there to apply for.

“Equally heartbreaking is that a government clinic - just 50 metres away - allegedly refused to assist him. Despite urgent pleas for help, medical staff are believed to have turned them away, instead of calling for emergency services. Mr Pillay died waiting for dignity and compassion from the very system that was meant to serve him.

“This is not just a tragedy. It is an indication of how so many senior citizens are treated due to failed government systems. After decades of hard work, sacrifice and contributing to building our country, many of our elderly are left to suffer in long queues - whether at SASSA offices or at public clinics - often without shade, seating or assistance. This is not how they should be honoured and it is certainly not the dignity they deserve. Mr Pillay's death must not be in vain,” said de Boer. 

She said they were calling for KZN Social Development MEC, Mbali Shinga, and Health MEC,  Nomagugu Simelane, to urgently investigate this incident and ensure accountability. 

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