Extremely *********** and Unacceptable Service at GEPF

My experience with GEPF has been extremely frustrating and disappointing due to their incompetence and lack of communication. I have been sent up and down multiple times, traveling to Cape Town so often that I have honestly lost count. Each time, I am asked to submit a different document. When I submit what they request, they later say they need something else. I initially submitted all my documents, including my SARS registration notice. At the office, a gentleman told me that the SARS document was not needed. After weeks of waiting with no feedback, I called head office to follow up and confirm whether my documents were received. I was then told that the SARS document was outstanding — the very same document I had submitted and was told was unnecessary. I then resubmitted the SARS document as requested. No one contacted me to inform me that it was outstanding. I had to find out on my own by constantly calling and following up. I sent numerous emails with no response. The Western Cape office does respond, but only weeks later. To make matters worse, a lady later confirmed that she received my document in December, yet it was only submitted internally by them on 9 January, and only after I called again to follow up. This delay was entirely on their side. When I ask how long the process will still take, the call centre says they cannot provide a turnaround time. This is unacceptable. How can an organization not give timelines for services they are paid to deliver? Every response is the same: “It’s with the processing department.” There is no accountability, urgency, or transparency. I have spoken to several people who confirmed that this is common practice at GEPF — you are expected to wait for months, and they simply do not care. This treatment is unfair and unacceptable to people who rely on these benefits. If I could rate GEPF, they are not even worth one star. This has been one of the most *********** and frustrating service experiences I have ever had.