The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has apologised for a freak break in its network which has affected plans to capture the May Covid-19 TERS online applications.
The system which has been undergoing a test run since last week was due to go live on Tuesday, May 26, but a damaged fibre link between the UIF’s offices and the State Information and Technology Agency (SITA) affected the plans.
“We apologise to all our stakeholders, and particularly our clients, for this unfortunate turn of events and the resultant delays.
Also read: Covid-19: Checklist for R350 unemployment grant
“We are doing everything in our power to ensure that the problem is resolved today so that we can start processing May applications immediately.
“The fault of connectivity in Pretoria is due to a damaged fibre cable that links the UIF to the SITA’s data centre,” said the UIF commissioner, Teboho Maruping.
[STATEMENT] The Unemployment Insurance Fund @UIFBenefits apologises for the freak break in its network which has affected plans to capture the May Covid-19 TERS online applications. #COVID19
Full statement: https://t.co/U4kvJIYkcg pic.twitter.com/0YSpCFHgDQ
— UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND (UIF) (@UIFBenefits) May 27, 2020
The UIF has promised to ensure that once the link is restored it will do all it can to catch up on the time lost.
Also read: Covid-19: More hands on deck will mean faster payouts of grants says Sassa
The UIF’s ICT system development team is on standby to ensure that as soon as the connectivity is re-established the system goes live.
“We have received an avalanche of complaints because of this and we understand how this could be frustrating to our clients and stakeholders.
“I would like to assure each and every one who has been negatively affected that this was beyond our control, but we will try to make up the lost time.
Also read: Covid-19: Construction sector welcomes easing of lockdown
“It should be noted that in the last two months we have had peak traffic as a result of our lockdown relief benefits.
“In general we have managed to keep our heads above water under those circumstances and there is no reason why we will not push ourselves to do our utmost to catch up,” Maruping said.
Dear reader,
As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
