Maseru, May 15 ___ At least 4000 old age pensioners residing in the districts of Maseru, Berea and Leribe are untraceable.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development Mr Pitso Lesaoana in the National Assembly on Wednesday, saying the above was discovered during the ongoing Old Age Proof of Life exercise.

"The exercise has revealed that 1286 old age pensioners from Maseru district are untraceable, over 2000 in Berea while over 500 are from Mafeteng", he said.

Mr. Lesaoana said this means the country is losing about M50 Million annually, thus must be prevented for the sustainability of old age programme.

He further disclosed that at least 202 paypoints have been closed countrywide as they have reached the maximum limit of 80 percent, saying 66 974 old age pensioners are paid digitally through Mpesa and Eco-cash.

"The digital payment target was 60 percent but we now stand at 78.9 percent" he said, indicating that 17 931 are remaining and still paid in a form of cash.

He also stated that some old age pensioners indicated that they prefer to receive their money through banks instead of digital payments, saying the Ministry is currently in negotiations with banks.

Meanwhile, the government has released a gazette on the M50 increase in monthly old age pension, effective April 01, 2026.