Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth has dismissed reports that UIF claims were lost
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Minister of Employment and Labour Nomakhosazana Meth has dismissed reports that UIF claims were lost, saying all applications from the old uFiling portal have been retained and are being processed in the new UIF Online system.
This follows media reports alleging that thousands of claimants unknowingly submitted applications through a legacy UIF employee claims portal that remained accessible online but failed to process submissions, leaving applicants without outcomes or payments.
In a statement released on Monday, Meth said the legacy employee claims portal was only closed on 20 May 2026 after legal and contractual issues were resolved, and that all applications submitted on the system were retained and are being processed through the new UIF Online platform.
She revealed that on April 1, 2025, the UIF launched a new online platform, known as UIF Online, adding that it was designed to replace the legacy system and improve access through real-time tracking and self-service applications.
The department said the UIF Online system has delivered positive results, with 4,558,971 claims processed and paid by April 2026.
"It is important to clarify that the legacy uFiling platform consists of two separate components: the employee claims portal and the employer portal. The employee claims portal was officially closed on 20 May 2026 following the successful resolution of legal and contractual disputes associated with the legacy platform, as well as the completion of the required handover process," she said.
"These legal disputes had previously prevented the UIF from decommissioning the employee claims portal. With the closing of the employee claims portal, we wish to assure clients that no applications were lost. Applications that were submitted on the uFiling platform have been stored in a separate database from where they are being analysed, verified against system controls and migrated into the new online platform."
She added that the employer portal remains operational and continues to handle registrations, declarations and contributions, and will be migrated to the new UIF Online system by August 2026.
“As public representatives, we have a responsibility to ensure that the information we share with the public is accurate, factual and in the interests of nation building.
"While constructive scrutiny is welcomed, the spread of misinformation and unverified claims can undermine public confidence and cause unnecessary panic.”
mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za
IOL Business