For two senior citizens, the suspension of their monthly pension grants has brought uncertainty and hardship.

They say the suspension was effected despite having complied with the government's verification requirements.

81-year-old Windhoek resident Negumbo Shikoyeni says he has not received his pension since May, even though he has the required identity documents and completed the verification process.

Shikoyeni says pensioners were not informed in advance that their payments would be delayed, leaving many to discover the suspension only when they went to collect their grants.

He says he has repeatedly travelled to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare (MGECW) to seek answers, only to be told to wait until August.

Living with high blood pressure has made the situation even more difficult for him. 

Shikoyeni says public health facilities do not always have the medication he needs, forcing him to buy from private pharmacies. 

Without his pension, he says he can no longer afford the treatment that helps keep his condition under control.

He also supports several family members, including school-going children who depend on him for transport money. 

"When I was told that my money was cut off, I went to the Gender Ministry Office in Khomasdal. I was told to go make copies of my birth certificate and the identification document. I did that. I was also told to go get a paper from NAMPOST, where I collect my pension from. I got it and took it to the Gender Ministry, and I was told that I would get my pension; that was last month. Nothing was done until today. This delay affects me so badly because of the house responsibilities, as I cannot sustain them." 

82-old Iiyambo Nashilundo shares the same frustration.

Despite having the required identity documents, his pension also remains suspended.

Nashilundo says his monthly grant is the lifeline for relatives in both the north and Windhoek who depend on him. 

He says the continued suspension has left him feeling neglected, as those who followed the verification process are still waiting for their grants to be restored.

He hopes the matter will be resolved soon.

"I blame the government because if the government knew that this was going to happen, they could have told people early so they could prepare. To avoid the confusion. We now do not know if we are going to get the whole amount or just for that month."