A man has been charged in connection with the theft of an elderly man’s bank card and pension money in Suva, as confirmed by local authorities. He is expected to appear in the Suva Magistrates Court today. This case centers on 86-year-old Malakai Kauwale, whose bank card was stolen during a visit to an ATM.
The incident has raised alarms at the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, highlighting a disturbing trend of elder abuse in the community. Minister Sashi Kiran remarked on the vulnerability of senior citizens and those living with disabilities, referencing the increasing reports of similar crimes.
Kiran cited another serious incident currently under investigation involving the alleged embezzlement of funds from a person with stroke-related mobility issues and vision impairments. These instances illustrate an alarming pattern of exploitation against the elderly, which has become a recurring topic during community outreach and village meetings.
“Exploiting a senior citizen is not only a crime, it is a profound failure of our values as a society,” Kiran stated, emphasizing that nearly 2,000 reports of crimes against elderly individuals were logged in 2024, with property theft making up 62 percent of these cases. Unfortunately, many of these crimes are committed by acquaintances of the victims.
The Minister urged seniors to safeguard their bank cards and PINs, recognizing the difficulties they often encounter, such as writing down their PINs or seeking help from others during withdrawals. She advocated for families to assist their elderly relatives with banking needs, advising them to utilize the Ministry’s third-party withdrawal arrangements. This program allows trusted individuals to collect pensions on behalf of seniors under strict monitoring to prevent any abuse.
Families are encouraged to visit Social Welfare offices to formalize these support arrangements, providing an additional layer of security for vulnerable members of the community. The hope is that with increased awareness, both families and the broader society can better protect their senior citizens from exploitation.
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