A family of a retired teacher has raised concerns over delays in the processing and payment of her pension, stating that she has spent months moving between the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and the Pensions Department without receiving her retirement benefits.

The family says the teacher retired in June last year, but more than a year later, her pension has still not been paid, leaving her stressed and frustrated after years of serving in the teaching profession.

The complainant, who has requested anonymity for fear of possible repercussions, says the retired teacher has personally visited the relevant offices several times to follow up on her pension, but the matter remains unresolved.

“Imagine my mom retired last year June and up to now her pension isn't even there. She has walked to TSC office and pension department until she is stressed and frustrated.”

According to the complaint, the repeated trips to government offices have not provided the family with a satisfactory explanation about where the pension file is, what stage the processing has reached or when the retired teacher can realistically expect to receive her benefits.

The family further says that retired teachers and other pensioners are sometimes forced to keep returning to government offices to follow up on money they are legally entitled to receive after completing their years of service.

More seriously, the complainant says that bribes are being demanded or taken during the pension processing process, claiming that some individuals working within the pension system and Treasury allegedly sit on pension files and demand money before taking action.

“Bribes taken still no money. Most teachers die without even getting paid. Someone working at pension department and Treasury sits on their files and demands bribes.”

If pension files are being deliberately delayed until applicants pay money to have them processed, that would raise serious questions about corruption within a system dealing with people who have already completed their public service and are waiting for their retirement benefits.

The Teachers Service Commission, the Pensions Department within the National Treasury, and the relevant oversight agencies should therefore establish what has happened to the retired teacher's pension file and whether there are systemic delays affecting other former teachers.

The Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission should also take interest in that pensioners are being asked for bribes, particularly if affected retirees can provide names, payment requests, messages, receipts or other evidence supporting the claims.

The Commission on Administrative Justice, which handles complaints concerning maladministration and delays in public services, can equally examine cases where pensioners have spent prolonged periods following up on benefits without receiving clear explanations.

For retired teachers, pension is not a favour from government. It is a retirement benefit arising from years of public service, and pensioners should not have to spend their final years moving from one office to another trying to establish why their money has not been released.

The family says the situation has taken a heavy emotional toll on the retired teacher, who expected to begin her retirement after completing her service but instead has found herself spending months pursuing an entitlement she believes should have been processed after retirement.

The relevant authorities should explain what is causing the delay, identify where the file is currently held, provide a clear timeline for settlement and investigate the allegations of bribery so that retired teachers are not forced to pay for access to benefits they have already earned through years of service