JSE’s Investor Services reports that there is R4.5 billion in unclaimed dividends affecting 2.5 million shareholders, with the possibility of more funds in companies not directly connected to the JSE. A significant portion of this is owed to BEE shareholders. Some of these unclaimed benefits also date back more than 15 years.
Ursula du Plooy, JSE Head off Issuer Services and Key Clients, says that proposals have been made to transfer these funds to a government fund, but that most companies advocate for reuniting shareholders with their assets as a matter of good corporate governance.
Locating shareholders and making them aware of their unclaimed dividends remains a significant hurdle. To address this, the JSE has implemented the ShareHub portal, a tool designed to improve the efficiency of communication and facilitate the process of tracing and claiming dividends.
To read the full article click here.