The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) applauds the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI)’s arrest of eight persons linked to the theft of R825 000 from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)’s Regional Office in Tzaneen, Limpopo.
These arrests reinforce the UIF and law enforcement’s efforts to follow the trail of payments made to workers and businesses to ensure that all monies paid are fully accounted for. They are a welcome affirmation by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the African National Congress’ led government’s efforts to cleanse the state of the demons of corruption.
The fact that DPCI had to intervene and arrest the accused following numerous calls by COSATU for intervention by law enforcement, confirms the Federation’s long-standing fears of a UIF bedevilled by archaic systems that have enabled the cancer of corruption to spread across this important institution established to provide relief to workers during their moment of need.
It is critical that DPCI with the support of law enforcement, the UIF and the courts, leave no stone unturned during these long-sought investigations. Those who stole from the UIF, be they officials, members of society, employers or politicians must go to jail and their stolen properties be returned to the UIF.
It is long overdue that the UIF’s weak management and porous IT systems be overhauled. Those involved in corruption in the UIF must be removed. The cleansing and modernising of the UIF must be a matter of the highest priority. It must be expedited and concluded during 2026. It has been delayed for far too long.
Workers deserve a well-run, transparent and corruption free UIF where employers can register employees with ease, where workers’ deferred wages are secured, and where workers can access their maternity, parental and adoption leave, unemployment and temporary relief funds without delay. The days of workers being made to queue for days at a time or being sent from pillar to post to access their funds must end.
COSATU will continue to push for this burning crisis for workers to be prioritised, including through ongoing engagements at Nedlac. Government needs to escalate this war against state capture and corruption.
Issued by COSATU
Matthew Parks (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)
Mobile: 082 785 0687
Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za
