Stats SA assures public amid scammer rumours

Stats SA has recently addressed concerns over rumours circulating on social media, suggesting that scammers are posing as official field agents. The agency reached out to the Newcastle Advertiser to inform residents about the work they are doing and to inform the public how to verify the authenticity of their agents.

What does Statistics South Africa do?

Their brief is to gather data on economic statistics on various aspects of the economy, industry and trade, financial statistics, prices etc. Data on the level of economic activity helps in monitoring the behaviour of the economy e.g. the Gross Domestic Product and social accounting matrix

Population and social statistics 

Data derived from the census on demographic and socio-economic variables is used to measure living conditions, social indicators and health and includes general household surveys and domestic tourism numbers. The data is vital when it comes to the implementing of policies and decisions.

Why are surveys conducted?

Information is needed by government and decision makers to inform policies, implement programmes and to report, monitor and evaluate progress to build the country.

How can Stats SA officials be identified?

Stats SA officials can be identified by their employee cards, introduction letter with contact details of their Supervisors and vehicles branded with the Stats SA logo.

Survey Officers can be verified online by visiting Stats SA’s website through the following link –

https://migration.statssa.gov.za/Fieldworkerverification/home.php

Will the information collected from households and individuals remain confidential?

The information collected may NOT be shared with any other organ of state or any private entity. Any Stats SA official found guilty of contravening this Act will be fined a penalty equal to an amount not exceeding R10 000 OR imprisonment of up to six months, or both.

Important to note: Stats SA will NOT ask for your banking details, your political affiliation or for you to pay to participate in any of the surveys or projects.

Those refusing to answer questions posed by officials from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) can be charged and fined up to R10 000 or six months jail time – or both.

And using the Protection of Personal information (POPIA) as an excuse will not help.

According to Stats SA there are seven core dimensions to the POPIA that seek to protect personal information of the public and legally, Stats SA meets all seven criteria, making it compliant with the Act.

“The POPIA also provides that the act may not be interpreted in a manner that prevents any public or private body from exercising its powers and duties in terms of the law, in so far as that law relates to the processing of personal information.”

The data obtained by Statistics SA ‘aims to assist and encourage informed decision-making, research and discussion within government and the community by providing high quality, objective, reliable and responsive statistical products and services.’

“The core business of Statistics SA is to collect, produce and disseminate statistical information to inform stakeholders in planning, policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation and decision-making.”

For more information please contact

Stats SA – Amajuba District Office contact number: 034 – 312 9199

Stats SA website – www.statssa.gov.za

Contact details for Amajuba District Officials:

1. Benson Langa – Deputy Director: 082 888 2285
2. Thulethu Hlubi – Assistant Director (QLFS Project):072 728 0218
3. Mndeni Gule – Assistant Director (CDC Project): 082 805 7249

The news provided to you in this link has been investigated and compiled by the editorial staff of the Newcastle Advertiser, a sold newspaper distributed in the Newcastle area. 

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