The Department of Labor and Employment has closed its office in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria, due to safety and security concerns. Photo: Warren Mabona

People in Mamelodi trying to claim Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) money or report work-related problems to the Ministry of Labor and Employment are frustrated. This comes after the ministry closed its office in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria, due to security concerns.

Teboho Thejane, one of the department’s senior managers, told GroundUp that the office closed on August 6 due to “sporadic service delivery protests targeting the Tshwane municipality”.

The offices are located in a building within gated premises that also houses the City of Tshwane’s offices. There are two security guards at the entrance of the building.

“The security risk assessment report suggested that it was not safe for the department to operate in the building in question and therefore alternative sources of office accommodation should be provided,” Thejane said. “Mamelodi work center staff have been asked to report to the Pretoria work center later…Clients in Mamelodi are currently being served at the Pretoria work centre.”

GroundUp says Tshwane municipal offices, the “target” of the protests, are open and functioning.

A sign pasted on the office window states that the offices are closed indefinitely. He advises people to use the online service.

But Mamelodi resident Mozi Mtashe says UIF’s online system is not operational. He has been having difficulty getting his money for months. He was laid off by a clothing store in February. (The UIF system came back online in the last few weeks.)

Mtashe went to the Pretoria work office twice, costing R110 each time. “The queue was very long. The staff at the office turned me away and said I had to come back and bring the other required documents. This means I have to spend another R110 to travel to the city, although I am not sure my application will be processed successfully.”

We talked to many citizens who complained about the same problem.

Jabulani Nkuna lost his job after the company he worked for closed in July. He has been fighting to get the UIF ever since.

“I didn’t go to Pretoria (CBD) because I don’t have money for transportation. I want to apply for UIF money here in Mamelodi so I can use it to buy food for my family and look for another job.”

Thejane acknowledged there were challenges with the department’s online application system, but said those issues have since been resolved.

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