Maternity benefits NOT received (for the second time)

I am so disappointed and disgusted in the Department of Labour!

I app**** for my maternity benefit via UIF Simplicity in May 2021 this year, I received an sms notification from the Department of Labour on the 20th May 2021 confirming that my application for benefits has been received. Case no: ***.

After giving birth on the 6th June 2021 and returning from hospital, I sent the birth certificate and received 2x sms notifications from the Department of Labour on the 13th July only, the first one read saying "outstanding information was received and will be processed" . The second sms sent directly thereafter said "application for benefits was sent for assessment".

After numerous follow ups, UIF Simplicity is unable to provide me with proper feedback as to when I will receive my benefits. I then emailed the department of labour directly on the 12 August 2021 and resubmitted my documents to a lady named Bianca Maliti who said she will have a look the same day. On the 7th September I sent her another email and still no response was received to confirm that my documents were received or if they are in order etc.

On the 22nd September I received a call from Sydney Ndhima from the department of labour saying that my UI-19 form had not been dated by my employers signature. He mentioned that he was on leave and found my application on his desk. I then re submitted the amended UI-19 form along with my child's birth certificate on the same day as requested and Sydney advised he will respond to my email to confirm if the documents has been received and all is in order. He also mentioned that I should receive my benefit payout WITHIN 3 weeks.

From the 22nd September until the 5th October I have been trying to get hold of Sydney but to no avail. I have sent emails daily asking him to respond to my mail with Bianca in copy but I have not received a response.

On the 5th October I got an email address for James Stigling who I have dealt with in the past regarding my unemployment benefit at the time. I sent him a detailed email, where I included Bianca Maliti, Sydney Ndhima and Yolanda Cox requesting any form of feedback as to why my benefit has not been paid out yet as it's now been 2 weeks since my conversation with Sydney.

I returned to work already in September. I received NO feedback regarding my claim. I am unable to pay my debts which is 4 months behind and of course... the department of labour will not take any responsibility for it.

Its really sad that this will be the SECOND time that I have not received my maternity benefit. The same thing happened with first child 12 years ago and I never received a cent from money that the Department of Labour receives from my salary monthly... On time every time.

I honestly feel that my hard earned money is being ****** and therefore no one can tell me why I have not received my benefits or when I will ever receive it.