A man alleged to have been involved in the theft of an elderly man’s bank card and pension money in Suva has been charged and will be produced at the Suva Magistrates Court tody.
Police confirmed the accused has been charged with one count of theft following investigations into the incident involving 86-year-old Malakai Kauwale, whose bank card and pension were stolen at an ATM in Suva.
The case has prompted renewed concern from the Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection, which says reports of elder abuse continue to rise.
“The tragic case of 86-year-old Malakai Kauwale reminds us of the vulnerability of our senior citizens and people living with disability,” said Minister Sashi Kiran.
She revealed the Ministry has received another serious case involving the alleged embezzlement of funds from a person living with stroke-related mobility challenges and vision impairment, which is currently under investigation.
Kiran said the abuse of elders, particularly the exploitation of social pension schemes, has repeatedly been raised during community visits and village meetings.
“Exploiting a senior citizen is not only a crime, it is a profound failure of our values as a society,” she said.
According to police statistics, nearly 2,000 reports of crimes against senior citizens were recorded in 2024, with 62 percent involving property theft, often committed by individuals known to the victims.
While urging seniors to protect their bank cards and PINs, Kiran acknowledged the challenges many face. “Senior citizens often write down their PINs or share them to seek help with withdrawals,” she said.
She encouraged families to assist elderly relatives with banking needs and, where necessary, make use of the Ministry’s third-party withdrawal arrangements, which allow a trusted nominee to collect allowances under approved safeguards.
The Ministry says families are encouraged to visit Social Welfare offices to formalise these arrangements, which are monitored to prevent misuse.
