Africa-Press – Lesotho. The ongoing Old Age “Proof of Life” exercise has resulted in the non-payment of 4,179 elderly people in the Maseru district for the month of February.
This was revealed by the Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Mr. Pitso Lesaoana, in a statement read before the National Assembly on Monday.
Mr. Lesaoana said the initiative, conducted for the first time since the introduction of the old age pension scheme in the 2021/2022 financial year, follows reports that some elderly people were receiving the pension illegally.
He indicated that the exercise was carried out at 42 centres across Maseru district, where 18,429 elderly people registered, excluding those residing in the highlands.
The Minister clarified that beneficiaries were required to register at the centres where they normally receive their payments. Those who were unable to present themselves due to advanced age were registered through their proxies. He noted that at least 13,074 beneficiaries had registered by December last year since the exercise commenced in August.
He further stated that the Ministry had reminded those who had not yet registered to do so by January 10, 2026. However, 4,179 beneficiaries had still not registered and were consequently excluded from the February payment list.
Mr. Lesaoana assured that the Ministry is working tirelessly to ensure that all affected beneficiaries are registered. He also apologised for delayed payments experienced by those who receive their pensions digitally through Mpesa.
Meanwhile, a similar exercise is continuing in other districts, including Maseru, Berea and Mafeteng, among others.
