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'R1 a month' for some Transnet pensioners

Johannesburg - About 80 retired Transnet employees marched peacefully to the Union Buildings in Pretoria on Thursday.

The pensioners marched quietly, and about the only sound heard was that of their walking sticks and crutches.

Motorists hooted their horns and shouted "Viva badala, Viva" (viva, elders, viva).

They intended handing a petition to President Jacob Zuma's office to ask for his urgent intervention in their fight for decent pensions.

People carried placards bearing the words "Sies Transnet" and "We demand justice".

Freedom Front Plus MP Anton Alberts said at the march pensioners had been getting 2% increases a year, which made little difference due to rising inflation.

The pensioners had launched a class action court case against Transnet and government over the "plundering" of their pension funds over 20 years.

The 2% increases were in contrast to promises Transnet management had made to pensioners about their retirement, the FF Plus said.

Some Transnet pensioners are left with R1 after their medical aid deductions, according to the FF Plus.

"Most of the retired employees are left with R1 after their medical aid deductions, what can one do with R1 these days?" asked Alberts.

Retired Transnet employee Koos van der Merwe said most of his monthly income paid for his medical aid and he battled to make ends meet.

"So we appeal to President Zuma to help the elderly," said Van der Merwe.

Alberts said it was a disgrace for elderly people to march in the scorching sun to protest about money owed to them.

"Elderly people should be home enjoying their retirement, not protesting about their monthly income."

On Tuesday ,Transnet announced that pensioners would get thirteenth cheques totalling R178m.

"This takes the total of bonus payments made by the pension funds and Transnet to around R2.5bn since 2007," Transnet said in a statement.

The bonus payment for each beneficiary would equal 8.3% of their annual individual benefit.

Alberts said earlier the bonuses would not affect the court action. About 66 000 pensioners are involved in the civil claim to recover about R79bn, which they claim Transnet took from their pension funds.

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