MVA denies struggle kids’ allegationThe MVA Fund has denied refusing to help with the funeral arrangements of one of the struggle kids, saying it explained the claims process to his friends. Only family can claim accident benefits The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund has responded to a claim made by some members of the struggle kids regarding the death of Tomas Kondjeni, who was run over on the B1 road between Windhoek and Okahandja last week Friday.In the account given to Namibian Sun by a spokesperson for the group, Jerry Hamukwaya, the group claimed that the MVA Fund “refused to assist in burying him [Kondjeni] and getting him back to the North. We plead with them but no one is responding.”
The chief executive officer of the MVA Fund, Rosalia Martins-Hausiku, acknowledged that acquaintances of the late Kondjeni had visited the MVA’s Windhoek Service Centre on Monday, 5 September, to ask about the claims process.
Martins-Hausiku said the group was told that they can claim a funeral grant and up to N$100 000 for loss of support of any dependants.
“The Fund was advised that the deceased’s parents had passed on, relatives were unknown, the deceased was not married and his only child was a minor. In light of the above the Fund advised the acquaintances to get a Letter of Execution from the Master of the High Court,” the statement reads.
The group was then given a letter detailing the provisions under which they could claim N$7 000 for funeral costs, without requiring proof of actual cost incurred. The person who claims the benefit must be a spouse, child, parent, sibling of the deceased, or executor of the deceased estate.
Martins-Hausiku said the Fund offered to assist, “should any complication arise with the obtaining of relevant documents”.
She said the MVA Fund understands the urgency associated with the death of a relative as a result of a car crash and has put systems and processes in place to ensure that funeral claims are processed within 30 minutes. “We encourage family members to contact the nearest MVA Fund offices either in Ongwediva, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Otjiwarongo, Walvis Bay, Windhoek or Keetmanshoop,” she said.
KEITH VRIES