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Kudzai Chikiwa, Chronicle Reporter
THE Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC) has set aside nearly $8 000 to pay part of Entembeni Old People’s Home’s outstanding electricity bill amounting to over $15 000 and donated groceries that will last up to next year.

The commission was moved to help after a report presented in Parliament highlighting the plight of old people’s home.

Entembeni Old People’s Home which looks after 36 old people has been failing to pay Zesa for five years.

It has also been struggling for food following the ongoing price hikes.

Speaking while handing over the donation of Christmas groceries to the old people’s home, IPEC board member, Mr Tafadzwanashe Zinyoro said the money is already there.

He said the commission is engaging Zesa to come up with an arrangement where it pays half of the arrears while the parastatal clears the difference.

Mr Zinyoro said the Commission came to know about Entembeni Old People’s Home’s plight through a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Labour and Social Welfare report prepared after the committee visited the home.

“The Parliamentary report revealed the plight of the elderly residing in homes, which touched our souls. The report influenced our decision to consider giving a helping hand to Entembeni Old People’s Home here in Bulawayo,” said Mr Zinyoro.

He said giving back to the community, particularly the elderly, is part of their good corporate citizenship strategy in line with their mandate of ensuring social security through regulation of insurance and pensions.

IPEC donated mealie-meal, rice, sugar, cooking oil, washing powder, bathing and washing soap, snacks and other basics to the home.

Mr Zinyoro said the commission was looking forward to bringing income-generating projects to the home.

“We are giving you fish today, which will last a few days but our thrust going forward is to teach you how to fish so that you can be fed for a lifetime. We therefore urge management of this home to come up with sustainable projects for our consideration,” he said.

In an interview, Entembeni Old People’s Home Sister in Charge Miss Jesca Matavire thanked IPEC for lessening their burden.

“When the Ministers visited here and toured our place we never thought that they would consider our plight. We thought it would end there but we are glad to hear that IPEC was moved by the report of the parliamentary committee,” she happily said.

Miss Matavire said Zesa recently gave them a grace period to clear arrears to avoid being cut off.

She said the old people’s home owes Bulawayo City Council, TelOne and NSSA over $12 000 each.

“This home does not have a specific sponsor so you will see that most of the services we offer here are voluntary. The financial burden becomes too heavy for us.

That is why we have such large arrears,” she said.

“We appeal to Government and well-wishers to give us more help for the sake of our old people. At least if Government can give workers here some salaries.”

Miss Matavire said the groceries came as an timely Christmas gift which will sustain them up to next year.

She said they face food shortages especially during the current price hikes.

IPEC was created through an Act of Parliament to register, supervise and monitor the activities of insurance companies and private occupational and individual pension schemes in Zimbabwe. − @tamary98