Security guard Calvin Sibiya lost his job in Witbank in May. Since then he has been to the department of labour at least 13 times in a bid to register for unemployment insurance, with no success.
"I don't understand what is happening. They say I must phone these guys in Witbank and they give me numbers and I try, but the number doesn't work or nobody answers. I tell them here at Joburg that they are the same office. They must call Witbank and they must talk to them and sort this thing," he said, waving papers that are creased and well-worn.
Sibiya spoke to the Sunday Times at the department of labour offices in central Johannesburg, where he was eventually sent back outside to wait again in the queue on the steps.
"They say they are making some calls and they will call me inside again. I don't know what is this," he said.
He was called back in and, once again, was not helped. Once again he was told to "come back next week" because "of that problem with the phone numbers in Witbank that didn't work".
"These people are very, very stubborn. And it's not just me that says this. I have seen many people on Facebook and others have the same problem. I think there is a problem with that employer. I think he didn't pay the UIF [Unemployment Insurance Fund levy] and now there is a big problem. Even on the radio they are talking about these things," Sibiya said.
"Now I must just go back again next week. But I don't think they are going to help me."
The 45-year-old father of two is battling to find work. He has contributed to the UIF since 1987.
Sibiya worked for a security services company in Witbank, where he earned R4,500 a month after deductions. He was let go from his job on April 15, and received his last salary on May 15.
For a while he lived off the R2,800 paid to him from his provident fund. His children, aged 11 and 15, had to drop out of school because he could not pay the fees.
Sibiya has been living with friends in Jeppestown, where he is able to eat, too.
"But you can't stay with someone for more than five months. I am on the street now," he said, as he stood in line to again try to apply for UIF or get information on the Ters temporary relief grant.
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