The Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) accuses the Government of not paying pensions to former Mozambican miners who worked in South Africa.

In a statement, the CDD says that these are miners who live in the town of Ressano Garcia, Maputo province, and who worked for more than three decades in South Africa.

"For more than ten years these payments have not been made, placing them in a situation of unparalleled misery and suffering," reads the note quoted by Lusa.

The group or its dependents, the CDD continues, are in a situation of abandonment, since the government is "shirking" its obligations.

By their conduct, the authorities are violating the Constitution and the social security legislation, since the former miners have paid benefits as part of their contributory career.

On the other hand, the funeral allowance to which the former miners are entitled is also not being paid.

This entitlement "must be paid within 24 hours of the communication of the former miner's death and the amount is estimated at 39,000 rand," the CDD continues.

"This set of situations has created serious problems in the community of Ressano Garcia, because the children of the ex-miners are marginalized and although many have successfully completed high school, they are unable to have opportunities to complete their studies," he says.

Parents cannot afford to pay for their children's studies, creating a context in which there are cases of drug and alcohol abuse, notes the CDD.

The NGO notes that the government has closed a service office for miners in Ressano Garcia, further overshadowing expectations of a rapid resolution to the problems plaguing former Mozambican workers in South Africa.

"This behavior by the top leaders of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security shows contempt and a lack of consideration for the former miners," the CDD notes.

According to CDD, on August 25, 2021, the management of the Ministry of Labor and Social Security met with former miners in Ressano Garcia, but the meeting had no effect.

The holder of the portfolio, Margaria Talapa, has not yet received the group, despite requests for an audience.

Despite repeated requests, the Mozambican Ministry of Labor and Social Security did not respond to questions from Lusa about the CDD's accusations.