EFF in NC calls for probe into alleged Ters fraud

THE EFF in the Northern Cape wants an investigation to be launched into alleged corruption and fraud relating to the payment of Covid-19 Temporary Employer-employee Relief Scheme (Ters) benefits, which it claims has enriched companies at the expense of poor workers.

The party embarked on a peaceful march to the Northern Cape Department of Labour offices in Kimberley yesterday.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) started processing the last batch of Covid-19 Ters applications on Monday, November 23 and the process will close at the end of December.

EFF deputy provincial chairperson Kenneth Konote alleged that some UIF Ters payments had unjustifiably enriched companies because there was no oversight from government to check on compliance.

Konote said that companies should be compelled to make their financial statements available to verify payments made to employees.

The EFF has provided the Department of Labour with a list of companies to confirm whether payments were made to the workers.

The party also wants the department’s inspectors to investigate alleged unfair labour practices at a game and safari farm as well as an agricultural farm and water scheme in the Northern Cape, where it claimed workers were being called derogatory names and mistreated.

Konote added that the 41.5 percent youth unemployment rate in the Northern Cape was concerning.

He said that they would make the Department of Labour offices their “permanent residence” if it did not provide them with feedback within the next 14 days.

The chief director of provincial operations at the Department of Labour, Zolile Albanie, promised to respond to the memorandum within the next 14 days. He requested the EFF to provide the department with all relevant information that would assist it in the investigation.