Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1506996
4 NEWS maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 6 SEPTEMBER 2023 4 REFERENCE is made to the article that appeared last week on the new revised postal rates for newspapers when the wrong dates for the consultation process run by the Malta Communications Authority were quoted. It has to be clarified that the MCA consul- tation period on the proposed higher postage rates ran between 4 August 2023 and 17 August 2023. The new rates were then pub- lished on 21 August. Correction on MCA consultation period THE Nationalist Party has called out the Prime Minister's silence on the so- cial benefits scandal involving a former Labour MP and other government func- tionaries. "48 hours after news emerged of this scandal, Robert Abela has appeared no- where. 48 hours later, Robert Abela has taken no action," the PN said in a state- ment on Tuesday. It called for an investigation into the possible involvement of people within the Office of the Prime Minister in this case involving theft of funds. The Sunday Times of Malta last Sun- day revealed the details of the social benefit fraud perpetrated by former Labour MP Silvio Grixti, who resigned from parliament in December 2021 when the case first emerged. Grixti used to provide people with a package of falsified medical certificates and documents, which they later used to claim severe disability benefits amount- ing to more than €400 per month. The fraudulent exercise benefitted around 800 people and police have been charg- ing the beneficiaries with social benefit fraud. However, despite Grixti having been interrogated by the police, no charges have yet been filed. According to the reports, some of the beneficiaries had been referred to Grixti by customer care officials at Castille. "It is of great concern that Robert Ab- ela has not said a word in the aftermath of the revelations involving this racket that also implicates the OPM and min- ister Owen Bonnici," the PN said. "Who is Robert Abela trying to cov- er up for? Who is he protecting? Crisis after crisis… it is becoming clearer that Robert Abela has lost his leadership of government," the PN added. PN questions Prime Minister's silence on social benefit fraud scandal Former Labour MP Silvio Grixti, resigned from parliament in December 2021 A man suffered grievous injuries after an incident involving the ex- plosion of pyrotechnic material, resulting in injuries to his face and hands. The accident happened on Monday 4 September. The man, 32, was admitted to Mater Dei hospital at around 9:15pm. The police said the St. Paul's Bay man was in Delimara when he dis- covered the pyrotechnic material, which exploded, causing signifi- cant injuries to his face and hands. The injured man was promptly transported to the hospital by a companion who was with him at the time of the incident. Subse- quently, he was diagnosed with grievous injuries. Police investigations are under- way. AN elderly man died on Mon- day night after drowning in a pool in a private residence. Police said the accident un- folded at approximately 7pm in Triq il-Kbira, iż-Żurrieq. Assisted by a medical team, police went on site, where the lifeless body of the 70-year-old was found. Duty manager Claire Stafrace Zammit has initiated an in- quiry, police investigations are ongoing. Man suffers grievous injuries to face and hands in Delimara pyrotechnic explosion Elderly man drowns in Zurrieq swimming pool The 70-year-old man drowned in the swimming pool of a private residence Man, 32, suffers grievous injuries to the hand and face, after an incident involving the explosion of pyrotechnic material