Former Labour Party backbencher Silvio Grixti has publicly denounced the Chief Executive of the Housing Authority, Matthew Zerafa, for the comments he made in an interview with The Malta Independent on Sunday yesterday.
Grixti, who is a medical doctor by profession, said that Zerafa was being insensitive towards vulnerable cases and that he "insulted" struggling people.
Housing Authority CEO Matthew Zerafa told this newsroom that many young couples are seeking to purchase two properties, rather than opt to purchase one between them, and that the Housing Authority is looking to figure out why this trend is on the rise.
"There is a limit to how much you can hurt someone who is in the mud. It is disdainful that the CEO of such a sensitive ministry humiliates the people," Grixti wrote on Facebook on Monday.
In his online Facebook post, Grixti asked Zerafa if he is aware that some people live in garages or someplace underground, or if he is aware that some people were sent to live in Gozo from Żejtun because they were in such a vulnerable state.
For the latter point, Grixti said that this happened to people who derived from localities outside of District 6, from where Social Accommodation Minister Roderick Galdes was elected. The Sixth District refers to Qormi, Siġġiewi, and Luqa.
"Without reservation, you insulted the hard-up, the lower-class people when we as a party are meant to support them more than others," he said.
The ex-MP finished his statement by telling the Housing Authority CEO that he must have made a mistake when he said that many young couples are looking to purchase two properties, rather than one. He said that he must have been thinking about "a colleague of yours" who already owns multiple properties.
Zerafa's remark sparked a loud negative reaction following the story's publication. Many commenters online called the chief executive out of touch.
Silvio Grixti is currently being charged with his involvement in the social benefits racket. Last September, the court had ordered a freezing order covering €4.5 million worth in assets.
Grixti is accused of having provided applicants with medical certificates for disabilities which they did not suffer from in reality, allowing them to qualify for the allowance, after appearing before a medical board.
Grixti resigned from his role as an MP in December 2021 after being interrogated by police. At the time, he told followers online that he did not wish to continue occupying his parliamentary seat during a period when he cannot be 100% focused on representing his constituents.