FALSE NEWS ABOUT “BANKRUPT TRANSNET MEDICAL FUND “CREATES HAVOC

The United National Transport Union (UNTU) strongly condemns the irresponsible and insensitive publication of false news, in various printed and online publications across the country yesterday and today, containing false allegations that the Transnet medical fund is bankrupt.

Wyndham Evans, President of UNTU and Chairman of the Board of the Transnet Medical Fund, says it is utter lies created out of malice and published by publications who clearly does not even remotely try to adhere to the South African Press Code. Evans will recommend that the Board submit formal complaints against these publications at the Press Ombudsman of South Africa who is the publics watchdog protecting them against misleading publications.

According to the reports obtained from a “confidential informant” the Transnet medical aid fund is in financial trouble and members will be transferred to another medical scheme, but members will have to pay more for health cover. It went so far as to state that especially the old railway workers will be the worst affected because they won’t be able to afford a medical aid.

“This is simply cruel to say the least, especially to cause more tension and hardship for the former railway workers. It is common knowledge that the poor Transnet pensioners estimated R80 billion claim against the Transnet Pension Fund and the Transnet Second Defined Benefit Fund is still ongoing. There is no need to upset them with false news,” says Evans.

Even Facebook took it upon itself to warn its users about “fake news” after more and more unjustified news reports were being published on social media platforms.

Evans says the Board of Transnet will send an SMS to its members about the fake report today.

Issued on behalf of UNTU by Sonja Carstens, Media and Liaison Officer.