Is it possible that someone stole my benefits from the Mineworkers Provident Fund?

The long answer

Thank you for your email asking if it’s possible that someone from the mine stole 

the money you should have received from the Mineworkers Provident Fund (MWPF) after your father died in 2001 when you were still a young child.

It seems unlikely, because the death benefits are paid out in a lump sum to the spouse and/or guardian of the miner’s children from the Mineworkers Provident Fund, and not the mine itself. 

This is the way the MWPF says the lump sum is claimed:

First the deceased miner’s wife must report the death to the Human Resources department (HR) at the mine, submit a certified death certificate and certified ID doc for the deceased and fill in a claim form. The employer must sign the claim form.

Then the following documents must be submitted to the HR of the MWPF:

• A completed affidavit of dependency form (MW16) which lists all minor children, stamped and signed by a commissioner of oaths.
• Original certified copies of the minor children’s birth certificates, IDs or passports.
• The guardian’s original bank statement with bank stamp. There must also be a family letter signed by two members of the deceased’s family stating that the guardian is taking care of the children.
• Major children (who are older than 18) must submit their own affidavits of dependency which clearly state the extent that they are dependent.

The benefits are taxed but they are calculated as follows before tax:

Spouse: R40 000

Children 14 - 21 years: R40 000

Children 21- 25 years: R40 000 (but will need to provide proof of studying)

Children 6 -13 years: R25 000

Children 1- 5 years: R15 000

Children under 1year: R15 000

Perhaps the first thing to do is to contact the HR at the MWPF and ask them to explain how your father’s provident fund was paid out. You would need to take your ID to prove that you were one of the minor children listed on the dependency affidavit (MW16). You can phone the MWPF at 10 100 3000 (which is the switchboard number) and ask for HR.

If you are not satisfied with the answers from them, you can email clientservices@mineworkers.co.za.

They have also got a whistleblower number to report fraud and corruption: 0800 86 32 65