Task team to give report on ‘poor treatment and delays’ at UIF within a week

A task team has been assigned to look at issues at the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) office in Cape Town, with a report expected within a week.

The fund announced the intervention recently, after reports of poor service, delays, rude officials and long queues at the office based at Middestad Mall in Bellville. GroundUp recently detailed how dysfunctional systems and bad treatment were an everyday occurrence at the office.

ALSO READ: UIF scammer alert: Watch out for fraudsters posing as labour officials in Limpopo

In response, UIF commissioner Teboho Maruping said the fund would send a team from its head office in Pretoria to “establish facts and submit a report to (Maruping) within a week”.

“We need to have a thorough understanding of the specific issues on the ground so that we can intervene swiftly. It bothers me when I hear that workers are struggling to get what is due to them. Whatever the issue, it will be addressed. I will take it upon myself to see to it.”

Scam alert

Besides battling long queues and rude staff, those wanting to apply for UIF benefits have to avoid potential scammers.

Earlier this year, the fund warned about a man using the alias “Mr Ledwaba” who had duped payout seekers in Limpopo.

The con artist claimed to work for the Department of Labour and Employment and asked for money to help speed up claims.

ALSO READ: TERS investigation: SIU retrieves R71m in fraudulent UIF funds

“All services offered by the Department of Employment and Labour are provided free of charge. Legitimate UIF applications must be submitted through recognised channels, including labour centres nationwide or the authenticated online platforms available on the official departmental website.

“Officials within the department do not and will not request money from individuals seeking assistance. The promise of a quicker processing time for a fee is nothing more than a clever ruse designed to exploit vulnerable individuals,” said the department’s Mapula Tloubatla.