Issued by Department of Labour
29 February 2000
Department of Labour director general Advocate Rams Ramashia said UIF beneficiaries would continue to receive cash payments today (29 February), despite a cash heist at a UIF payout point in Pretoria today.
The robbery took place at the Frans du Toit building on the corner of Paul Kruger and Schoeman Streets where FNB bank officials were scheduled to make the cash payments.
FNB is contracted by the Unemployment Insurance Fund to pay out UIF benefits in cash to beneficiaries who do not have bank accounts and who therefore do not wish to receive UIF cheque payments.
Following the robbery, police cordoned off the building. The Department moved swiftly to make alternative arrangements and beneficiaries were asked to move to the Department of Labour's Gauteng North provincial office in Skinner Street, a block away.
Adv Ramashia told journalists at the scene of the heist that the Department had put in place emergency measures to minimize the disruption of services to members of the public scheduled to receive cash payouts. He said the Department had made arrangements for UIF beneficiaries to be paid today, despite the disruption caused by the robbery.
While the bank is responsible for the cash payouts, the Department was concerned that members of the public did not suffer unduly as a result of the incident. The Department's provincial officials had held discussions with FNB and payments would proceed.
Today's robbery was the second in recent months at the Paul Kruger payout point. Adv Ramashia said the Department recently met senior bank officials as well as officials of the security firm contracted by the bank to ensure security was stepped up.
For more information contact:
Phenyo Nonqane:
Tel: 012 309 4381
Cell: 082 903 0120
James Moche:
Tel: 012 309 4804