Government tightens UIF controls following teacher assistants' payment delays

Government has tightened internal controls within the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) following payment delays to Education and General School Assistants.

This measure, the government states, is a bid to prevent future administrative setbacks and to uphold the integrity of public funds.

More than 100,000 candidates in the fifth phase of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) did not receive their September stipends on time. The Department only began rolling out payments this morning, after resolving verification issues.

READ: Department of Basic Education confirms stipend delays affected only teacher assistants

Employment and Labour Deputy Minister Jomo Sibiya emphasised that the strengthened processes are not meant to slow down service delivery, but to safeguard every rand of taxpayers’ money and uphold good governance principles.

The BEEI will now feature as a standing item in senior management and interdepartmental meetings at both provincial and national levels to improve coordination, the Minister confirmed.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube also confirmed that consequence management will follow in cases where negligence or failure to act on time is identified.

Government maintains that these measures are aimed at ensuring responsive, responsible, and people-centered governance.