Scam warning for ex-miners

EX-MINEWORKERS in the Northern Cape who intend to register for unclaimed benefits have been urged to follow the correct channels and attend a series of information sessions, amidst reports of criminal elements offering to assist in filing claims.

This is according to the Northern Cape Department of Labour, which last week encouraged ex-mineworkers to attend a series of upcoming events that will be aimed at addressing any questions regarding payouts from the department and its entities.

“As the Department of Labour we would like to warn our people against these suspicious criminal acts and we urge them to wait for the campaign to be publicised and reach their towns and respective areas,” said the department’s acting chief director for provincial operations, Emily Maneli.

“We distance ourselves from such acts and urge our people to report those people at their nearest police.”

The campaign, which is aimed at ex-mineworkers who left employment in the mines prior to April 1, 2002, has already been successfully carried out in Douglas and Barkly West and this week moves to Warrenton’s Ikhutseng Community Hall tomorrow, from 9am, and Mooki Lobelo Primary School on Thursday.

The campaign will reach the John Taolo Gaetsewe District in the next quarter.

- Murray Swart