Government Failed Promises Fund

I resigned from government in December 2023 and got my first notification from GEPF/GPAA on 30 Jan 2024. They say they should take between 30 to 60 days to effect a payout of benefits.

I followed diligently since March 2024 and every week would receive a different answer from their call centre agents. First it was with benefits who are calculating my payment then on to payments and the back and forth to legal. Earlier this month I was told it was with Tax and today 15 April 2024 its with Legal again.

I asked to speak to a supervisor or manager and after 30 minutes I still had no response. I got a line that I can give my number so they can call back which has never happened before. I waited and then they struggled to get me to someone who could answer my queries called Enoch.

The gentleman was unable to give me any date and said he would make a note so legal can indicate what is going on. He did not have access to a complaints section and had to look it up.

I was referred to an GEP Ombud who were easy to contact but will see the outcome.

The reality is that this is a lack of efficiency and their reliance on the fact that your will be paid interest to justify the delay is unacceptable. They should change their messaging to it will take longer than 60 days and excludes the period that your own department takes which is another 30 days.

One then is more likely to wait in excess of 120 days and not everyone has 4 month's salary available. It is also not the governments money but in fact money that I have earned for over 30 years of service that I cannot access. Can only imagine the stress other beneficiaries go through who cannot spend hours waiting to get through to a call centre agent let alone get meaningful answers.

Their call centre rating is limited so that you cannot give meaningful feedback as you don't really get answers and is focused on the agent. Not on the quality of service or information regarding your query.

The reality of the decay in service delivery is epitomised by this administrative function that cannot be time checked and is evident in all the levels of the government that is managed by the ANC of today.