WHAT A SHOCKING DISGRACE!

I submitted my illness benefit claim on-line on 7 October 2020. I received an sms in acnowledgement advising that they will be in touch in 35 days. Prior to the elapse of the 35 days I paid the Bellville Labour Centre a visit round about early November. After getting up at 4.30am and getting to the queue just before 5am, I stood in the queue until they opened at 08h00 although they should open at 07h30. The queue was split up and I was sent away to go back to my Specialist as he put on the form my disability is "on-going" and they wanted him to put it was permanent. Anyway I went back to my Specialist who amended the form and back to the Labour Centre the same day just to be told my employer need to fill out another form so back to the employer and back to the Labour Centre just to be told that my ID is coming up on another company (Beach Lodge) and that I am still employed by them, a company I have never heard of or worked for and in any event is based in Durban whereas I am based in Cape Town. My company AAD Truck & Bus (now JB's Trucks) did a letter confirming that I have never worked for a company called Beach Lodge as I have been in their employ in Cape Town for the past 11 years, I also called the cell number on the print out the Labour Centre provided and the number does not exist. I also wrote an email to the address on the print out which e.mail was returned undelivered. However, the Labour department is adamant that they need a letter from (Beach Loge) confirming that I am not employed by them. Two of my colleagues who are trying to claim their benefits are having the same problem. My last visit to them was on 2 December 2020. All I was told is that my next visit is on 18 February 2021 - REALLY!. I am still recovering from spinal chord surgery and does not have the will to visit the Labour Centre again to endure all the frustration and discomfort. By the way, this being a government department and considering the President's plea, there is no-one regulating social distancing although a few responsible people at least try to adhere. Some of the staff are rude and speaK down to people as if they own the Department. They seem to forget that we, the public pay for their livelihood. Some are in such a hurry to get to the next person that they do not have the time of day to give you a hearing. Had they taken the time in the frst instance to check what all is required, this would have prevented an unnecessary to and fro.

I have been trying my utmoset via e.mails and attempted phone calls to reach the Bellville Labour Centre. In fact, yesterday I spent all my airrtime (R159) just holding on and still I did not get to speak to anyone. Its really no point in phoning the Labour Department as your airtime just gets gobbled up. Just this morning I tried phoning again at 07h30 but would be number 8. If you held on for the whole 7 to be assisted this could cost you way over R250. I have also written to Primrose Maimane (Cape Town Labour Office); Thozama Ngonyama (Bellville Office) and the Customer Care as well as the UIF Compants Department with not the courtesy of a reply except an automated message from some again informing that they will be in touch in 35 days. To date I have no idea when my benefit will be paid and have no way in contacting them other than a physical visit. All I can say is that its an absolute nightmare trying to get your benefit paid or even just getting to talk to anyone. I don't know what else to do If anyone from the Bellville Labour Department care to phone me, this will be appreciated as I am out of options. My number is ***. I am in the process of writing to the Suburb Councillor as well as the Mayor of Cape Town as this shoddy service and system as a whole is something that needs much improvement. The e.mail addresses for Bellville office are as follows: *** and *** I must warn that you will only get an automate message. For what its worth their tel & fax numbers are: T. *** F. ***. Thx. Zelda