​On Tuesday, The Gauteng Social Development MEC Morakane Mosupyoe donated 100 blankets to older persons during elderly abuse awareness at Hekpoort Community Centre in the West Rand.
This initiative forms part of Social Development Month activities. It also coincides with the International Day of Older Persons on the 1st of October, Mosupyoe spoke to the senior citizens about the challenges faced by the elderly and to educate them on prevention programs provided by the department, and encouraged communities to support and protect older persons.

She expressed her appreciation of senior citizens and said she felt honoured. Mosupyoe called on the communities to show elders appreciation and love while they are still alive.

She further indicated that even though October is used to highlight services to the elderly, the Department has constant engagements to raise awareness on the services for the senior citizens. This includes rigorous campaigns against abuse.

However, Mosupyoe expressed concerns about the rising case of elderly abuse. She also raised concerns on abuse of older persons in communities being understudied with little to no work done in terms of research and policy development.

“There are various categories of abuse. These include loss of respect for elders and other forms of abuse which include dehumanising treatment at clinics, pension pay points and marginalisation of elder people in society in general. Notwithstanding the physical, sexual, emotional abuse, financial and material exploitation that they must endure".

"Studies have shown that there are problems with allegations of witchcraft, mainly against elderly black women, and as a result, some elderly women are burnt, or their properties confiscated. Moreover, there is a growing concern of elderly women being raped by their sons or grandsons”, she added.

“As Social Development we contend that together, we can and must do more to prevent violence against women and children, in particular, elderly women; provide services to survivors of abuse and ensure that perpetrators are punished. We will, together with our partners, continue to implement campaigns that create awareness; reduce the number of sexual offenses and attacks on elderly women in our country. 

Collectively, we believe that perpetrators of these acts have no place in society, and communities must act to expose such behaviour”,

The Department concluded the day by honouring senior citizens with blankets as a sign of gratitude and respect.

According to the Older Persons Act No. 13 of 2006 the Department of Social Development is mandated to promote the protection of Older Persons against abuse and to ensure that their rights are upheld and respected.