A DA Parliamentary Question has revealed that the former UIF Commissioner, Teboho Maruping, was dismissed at the end of February. While on suspension, from September 2024, he earned almost R2.5 million.
The fact that this information was not made public by the Minister of Employment and Labour is concerning.
Maruping left UIF’s systems and governance in a terrible state, with workers struggling to access benefits, and businesses struggling to pay their dues.
During his tenure at the department, and the reason for his suspension at the time, he was linked to an unlawful contract entered into by the UIF to acquire a 19% stake in Thuja Capital for R5 billion, despite the company having no verifiable premises, website, or track record.
He was also accused of threatening employees who raised concerns about the deal with suspension. The transaction was later set aside by a court for having bypassed the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA). Disciplinary proceedings began in November 2024 but were repeatedly delayed, reportedly due to stalling tactics including changes in legal representation and the submission of medical certificates.
This was not Maruping’s first suspension. He previously spent nearly two years at home after being implicated in an irregular COVID-19 TERS contract. In total, he is estimated to have spent roughly a quarter of his tenure on suspension, earning close to R4 million during that time.
The DA will seek confirmation from Minister Nomakhosazana Meth that Maruping has been listed on the DPSA’s Central Register for dismissed public servants, and the length of time he is barred from public service due to his gross misconduct.
The DA will continue to push for full accountability, including a comprehensive review of disciplinary processes across the Department and its entities, and will pursue all available parliamentary mechanisms to ensure that those responsible for governance failures at the UIF are held to account and that workers finally receive the service they deserve.