'Bucs play not fair' - Club leaves widow in limbo
THE widow of former Orlando Pirates head of security Ali Hlongwane is accusing the PSL defending champions of not playing a fair game with her.
SHOCKED: Priscilla Hlongwane.
DECEASED: Ali Hlongwane worked for PiratesHlongwane died of sugar diabetes at the age of 59 in February last year and was interred at Lenasia cemetery, south of Jozi.
After his funeral, Ali's wife Priscilla Hlongwane went to the club's headquarters in Parktown, Jozi to claim his pension fund.
But to her shock and chagrin, she was told that though Hlongwane worked for the club for 10 years, he was not permanent and that the club did not register him with their pension scheme.
In an exclusive interview with Sunday World on Thursday, Priscilla - who intermittently broke down while relating the matter - says the club gave her R10000 to bury her husband because she did not have sufficient funds to do so.
She says when she got to Parktown she was referred to financial manager Darryl Joselowsky, who told her Hlongwane was not a permanent employee of the club.
"I asked him how it was possible that they could have someone in their employ for 10 years without registering them with their pension scheme and he told me my husband also worked for Bafana Bafana," she says.
She says she sent Joselowsky an SMS the following day asking for her husband's IRP5 forms.
Joselowsky replied: "As mentioned to you when we met, as Ali was doing security work for both Orlando Pirates and Safa at one stage, he was not a permanent employee at Orlando Pirates.
"Thus no IRP5 was issued.
"He was also earning below the threshold for any tax to be deducted. Pls call if you need any further information or explanation."
Priscilla says she learnt afterwards that her husband was earning a shocking R2500 a month.
"After devoting his life to Pirates, is this how he is thanked?" she asks.
Priscilla says she has been trying to speak to club chairman Irvin Khoza but Joselowsky is obstructing her.
"My husband's two kids from a previous relationship now hate me because they think I got the money and misused it.
"My husband died in February and I'm supposed to erect a tombstone for him this month but I don't have a cent.
"I also go to bed on an empty stomach sometimes," she says.
Priscilla says her husband's car, which she has been using to run her small takeaway business, is being stripped and sold by the mechanic to defray expenses as she does not have money to pay him.
Khoza says: "Mr Hlongwane was not employed permanently but we felt morally obligated to contribute towards his funeral."
malatjin@sundayworld.co.za
Comments
madimetsha
how is it Orlando Pirates fault that the guy did not save? how is it orlando pirates fault that the guy was temp, he could have applied for other jobs,how is it bucs problem that he earned R2500-00? something the wife did not know? as black people we do not want to take responsibility, we always want someone to look after us, then we can complain and then go to the media........it says a lot about the family, wife had no idea how much hubby got paid, they never had a funeral cover, Bucs came to the rescue, this is nonsense, she must go cry at the husand's grave...he is the one who cuased the mess......just becuase you employed someone does not mean you are responsible for the family after his death....Msindo495
That's a real sea robbers for you.kukuyalethosa1
Eish...life is tough without bread winner. Ask me about it.Mils
@ Madimetsha"she must go cry at the husband's grave"
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With everything you've said on your comment which I find mostly to be true, but you are very cold
hearted ...
madimetsha
@Mils, i agree, I retract that, that was insensetive.Read all 5 comments