JSE says more than R4.5bn in dividends remain unclaimed

JOHANNESBURG - The Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) said that more than R4.5 billion in dividends remain unclaimed by South African investors. 
 
JSE CEO Leila Fourie disclosed the figure during a meeting with the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Maropene Ramokgopa in Sandton on Thursday.

The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between government and the private sector.

The JSE said many investors may be unaware that they are owed significant sums of money.

In response, the exchange has launched the "Claim It" campaign to help identify and return unclaimed dividends to their rightful owners.

Fourie explained that dividends often go unclaimed due to changes in contact information, a lack of investment knowledge, or even the death of the investor.

"We want to make sure that all of the rightful owners receive the funds that are due to them."

Government has advised anyone who believes they are owed a share of the unclaimed funds, to use the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA)’s search tool to check eligibility.