The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) together with the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng on Wednesday 29 November 2023 launched digital platforms that will enable workers to determine if any COVID-19 TERS funds were fraudulently claimed against their names by employers.

Introduced as a force multiplier to the UIF's “follow the money" project, the platforms will assist the UIF to recover misappropriated, misdirected, and stolen COVID-19 TERS funds that were paid out to employers.

According to UIF Commissioner Teboho Maruping, the platforms will further intensify the UIF's efforts to recover COVID-19 TERS funds that did not find their way to deserving workers.

Through the “follow the money" project the UIF has already secured successful convictions of at least 20 people who were handed lengthy prison sentences by the courts for COVID-19 TERS fraud.

In addition, the Fund has to date been able to confirm R29 billion of COVID-19 TERS funds that were disbursed to employers. The remainder of the confirmations are expected to be concluded in 2024.

Furthermore, the project has triggered R2.4 billion worth of COVID-19 TERS funds that have been repaid by employers directly to the UIF.

Investigations that emanated from the "follow the money" project have resulted in the recovery of R61 million by the SIU, and over R760 million that was recovered by other law enforcement agencies, including the NPA, and the AFU in the Fusion Centre.

“It has always been part of our strategy to also use a bottom-up approach to follow the money. We are launching these platforms today during a stakeholder engagement with worker representatives and leaders because shop-stewards are closer to worker issues and are best placed to cascade new information down to shop floor level," said Maruping.

“These easy-to-use platforms are a necessary mechanism that allows workers to play an active role in bringing unscrupulous employers to book. Working together with organised labour, I am confident that workers from across the country will get to know about, and use these platforms to report COVID-19 TERS fraud that was committed by employers," Maruping added.

The platforms, also known as “Thusa Babereki" platforms, comprise an online portal as well as a WhatsApp channel with automated menus and easy-to-use steps. Whereas the WhatsApp channel can be accessed by adding the number 067 411 0241 to any WhatsApp account as a contact and sending a greeting message to initiate interaction, the online portal can be accessed on the hyperlink https://ufiling.labour.gov.za/uif/follow-the-money

The launch took place against the backdrop of a stakeholder engagement session held with trade union representatives from all industries and sectors at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park to discuss issues affecting workers in Gauteng province and to pave a pragmatic way forward. The UIF has had similar engagements with COSATU in the Western Cape, North West, and Limpopo Province.

Nearly 100 affiliate COSATU members from among others, the Democratic Nurses Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA), the National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU), and the South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) attended the launch.

During his remarks to attendees, COSATU Gauteng Provincial Chairperson Amos Monyela said after the introduction of COVID-19 TERS the federation received many complaints from workers who did not receive monies that were meant to be disbursed to them by their employers.

According to Monyela workers from the retail, hospitality, mining, textile and clothing, paper and chemical, agriculture, transport, and security were most affected.

“If this launch and this programme is going to assist, I think then we will be able to find those unscrupulous employers," said Monyela.

Monyela implored union representatives to make use of the platforms to report employers.

“As COSATU in Gauteng Province we have set up teams at our head office in Braamfontein who will guide and assist workers in the use of the platforms," he said.

The event closed with UIF Commissioner Teboho Maruping expressing appreciation to COSATU Gauteng for its partnership.

“The UIF is pleased to work with COSATU Gauteng and its affiliates on this project as the majority of COVID-19 TERS fraud was committed in this province. Invariably this means that a lot more funds need to be recovered in Gauteng. The use of the Thusa Babereki platforms will intensify our efforts to close the net on those who have stolen from the working class," said Maruping.

For pictures of the launch visit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1LSfxaECwZnHLPJKbAP_nFE-2R308lR0Q?usp=sharing

Media inquiries:

Trevor Hattingh

Director: Communication (UIF)

Cell: 067 410 4099 | Email: trevor.hattingh@labour.gov.za

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Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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