Statistics South Africa embarks on 2021 mini test census
Stats SA field staff are issued with branded identity cards and field gear. Where possible, vehicles are also visibly branded.
There appears to be many misconceptions about South Africa’s annual census. On September 19, two Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) field staff members in KwaLanga in Cape Town, were suspected of child trafficking while conducting their work.
The pair were gathering data from a household and were talking to a minor when residents, suspecting foul play, accused them of of being human traffickers. The situation escalated to the point where the pair had to seek refuge from a nearby home after residents gathered and threatened them with violence.
The field workers escaped unharmed when police were dispatched to the scene and verified that they were Stats SA fieldworkers. As a result of this incident, the organisation is sending out an urgent appeal to communities that staff will be in the field from October 9 to November 6.
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The list of areas that will be visited during this exercise are listed below:
Eastern Cape: Buffalo City
- Lennox City
- Selborne
- Stoney Drift
- Berea
- Mdantsane Unit 4,6,9
- Mdantsane North
- Eluxolweni SP
- Sandisiwe SP
- Cuba B SP
- Cuba A SP
Free State: Mangaung
- Grasslands
- Rodenbeck
- Universitas
- Universitas
- Heuwelsig
- Woodlands Estate
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Gauteng: Ekurhuleni
- Highway Gardens
- Harmelia
- Croydon
- Germiston SP
- Germiston South
- Eden Glen Ext 60
- Eden Glen
- Isandovale
- Jiyana
- Ethafeni
- Sethokga, Moriting
- Hospital View
- Winnie Mandela
KwaZulu-Natal: The Msunduzi
- Plessis-Laer
- Phayipini SP
- Manor
- Imbali SP
- Ashdown
- Pietermaritzburg SP
- Scottsville
Limpopo: Polokwane
- Bendor Park
- Geluk SH
- GaThoka SP
- Fauna Park
- Sterpark
- Mankweng Unit B
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Mpumalanga: Emalahleni
- eMalahleni Ext 10
- Fransville, Lynnville
- eMalahleni Central
- Fransville
- Coronation
- Thushanang
North West: Rustenberg
- Wildebeesfontein Mine
- Freedom Park A
- Freedom Park B
Northern Cape: Sol Plaatjie
- Memorial Roads Areas
- Belgravia, Royldene
- New Park
- Kestelhof
- Galeshewe Sp1
- Bunn, Thusano
- Vergenoeg Ext 10
- Boikhutsong
- Kamfersdams
- Vergenoeg Ext
Western Cape: City of Cape Town
- Viking Park
- Thornton
- Langa SP
- Bonteheuwel
- Pinelands
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“The manner in which this incident was handled is regrettable, notwithstanding the damage to reputations this is likely to cause. We are requesting that communities please check the credentials of any person who comes to their door.
“Stats SA field staff are issued with branded identity cards and field gear. Where possible, vehicles are also visibly branded.
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“In the event that communy members are doubtful of the legitimacy of the person at their door they are encouraged to reach out to the protection services and avoid acts of vigilantism.”
If you need to verify that the person at your door is employed by Stats SA, please contact: 0800110248
