Active since Feb 2018
Following my previous complaint regarding the outstanding refund dating back to July 2025, I wish to confirm that the matter has now been resolved. After escalation, I received prompt feedback and proactive assistance, and the refund has since been successfully processed. I appreciate the intervention and the efforts made to bring the matter to finality. It is encouraging to see accountability and responsiveness once the issue was escalated. Thank you to the team involved in resolving this matter.
I am insured with Santam under Policy No. 301658233. In December 2025, during severe winds and heavy rainfall, my boundary wall was damaged. Prior to Santam’s inspection, a boundary wall contractor informally suggested that we may also consider uprooting a nearby tree as a precaution, as it appeared to have been affected by the same severe weather event. This recommendation was separate from the boundary wall damage and was raised purely as a safety consideration. When the Santam inspector attended, I openly mentioned this recommendation in good faith and in the interest of transparency. However, it appears that the focus then shifted from storm-related damage to alleged root penetration instead of natural disturbance and the claim position changed suddenly. I respectfully dispute the current conclusion. The boundary wall damage occurred during a severe weather event and was sudden. Furthermore, neighbouring properties around my area also have visible boundary wall damage, including homes with no trees near their walls. This indicates that the damage was area-wide and attributable to the storm conditions rather than isolated root activity. The suggestion to consider uprooting the tree was precautionary and unrelated to the structural failure of the wall. I therefore request: - A detailed written explanation for the rejection; - The full assessor’s report; - The specific policy clause re**** upon; and - Fair reconsideration of the claim based on storm damage provisions. Please note that this escalation is being made to afford Santam an opportunity to rectify they clear intention to evade accountability. I can be contacted directly on 083 460 8584 for any engagement regarding this matter. If this matter cannot be resolved internally, I will escalate it to the National Financial Ombud Scheme for independent review. I trust Santam will address this fairly and urgently. Regards, Adv. Kutta
I have been awaiting a GEMS contribution refund since approximately July 2025. I was informed that the refund had been processed, but later advised that the transaction was “reversed”. I contacted FNB directly, and they confirmed that my account is fully active and transacting normally. In contrast, I continue to receive other external payments without any issue. Following this, I provided GEMS with a formal bank confirmation letter for my other account still to no expeditious avail. Despite this, and despite numerous follow-ups, I continue to receive unclear explanations and shifting responses. I am repeatedly told that refunds are processed at the beginning of the month, yet several months have passed with no successful payment and no clear written proof of the alleged reversal. It is extremely frustrating that hefty contributions are processed efficiently and without fail, yet when it comes to refunding a member, there are endless delays and administrative excuses. Due to ongoing dissatisfaction with GEMS's service and hefty deductions, I have terminated my membership and joined another medical scheme. I can finally be happy in life!
I am deeply disappointed by the manner in which my concerns were handled by Silungile Mncwango, a Liaison Officer in the ABSA AVAF Collections: Legal division. From our first engagement, Ms. Mncwango’s tone was dismissive, unempathetic and failed to engage with the specific queries I raised under the NCA. Instead of addressing legitimate consumer rights concerns about valuation and transparency of the sale process, I received a generic response that lacked the professionalism one would expect in such a sensitive matter.
I want to commend Mosa at McDonald's Silver Lakes for their exceptional assistance in resolving my double deduction issue. Mosa handled my case with respect, professionalism & great care. Mosa's humility & client-oriented approach made a potentially stressful situation much smoother. McDonald's Silver Lakes is fortunate to have someone like Mosa on their team. Keep up the fantastic work & excellent customer care!
On 21 August 2024, I submitted a membership termination form to GEMS due to excessive costs resulting from my recent lack of subsidy. The next day, on 22 August 2024, I called GEMS before any processing of the termination request and submitted a Retraction of Cancellation Request stating that after careful consideration, I decided that downgrading my medical aid option would be a more suitable course of action than canceling my membership entirely. I sent this retraction along with a Request for Option Change and the completed mid-year motivation for the option change. This was informed by a GEMS marketing representative during my call, where I mentioned that my reason for cancellation was the high rates and lack of subsidy. To my surprise, on Saturday, 24 August 2024, I received correspondence from GEMS stating that my termination had been processed, effective at the end of September 2024. When I called today, 27 August, to inquire why my retraction and option downgrade request were not processed, I was told by the operations section that it is not possible to retract the cancellation and that I would need to reapply. This is after being a GEMS member for over 13 years. This whole experience has taught me that GEMS does not care about keeping members. With so many members, it seems they don’t care whether you leave or stay, as they are likely making substantial profits. Why not give a client who has been a member for over 13 years a courtesy call to try and retain them? Instead, they processed my termination request within a day. They don’t seem to care about retaining long-term members, which is disheartening. I called within just 5 hours of submitting my termination request, trying to stop everything, but they terminated my membership the next day without hesitation.
I had to go to the Fastway Samrand depot to collect my order because the delivery person assigned to Silver Lakes, Thabang, was extremely rude when I inquired about my parcels. He responded in a very curt tone, telling me he was driving, and then checked and rudely stated, "I have nothing for you." It was quite frustrating!
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the handling of my recent request to withdraw from my Sanlam Investment cover. It has been over 7 days since I submitted my request to withdraw, and I am deeply concerned that there has been no progress regarding this request. Unfortunately, this delay is causing significant inconvenience and financial strain on my part, as I re**** on the timely processing of this claim. I keep wondering if it is not possible for these kind of requests to be attended to as soon as possible. I urge Sanlam Insurance to prioritize my claim and provide a prompt resolution.
To whom it may concern, My review/feedback is phrased around the hospital itself, including the services of all practitioners that attended to me during my stay at this hospital. ER; General Ward; and High Care Early hours of 25th Feb 2024, I got admitted at ER Life Wilgers due to some abdominal problems. This morning, there was a tall dark Tsonga gentleman who did my drip, he was on night shift and provided excellent service. I must commend him. I, however, got negligently discharged by the 2 lady DRs who were on duty that morning (Black and a White Dr) but had to return to the same hospital some 20 minutes later as I was now having an unbearable pain. Consequently got sent for CT scan, was later admitted and moved to the general ward on an even date. The General Ward appeared to be a little ward for me but had 6 beds and we had 2x toilets and 1 shower. As such, the room was too crowded for me compared to the previous Mediclinics I’ve visited. You can just picture the ward with 2 visitors for each patient of the 6 beds at a time. The congestion, too disastrous. Got operated and moved to High Care on 28 Feb 2024. On my return from High Care to the General Ward on 12 March 2024, I got to enjoy a very lovely private room. Michelle, Ruth and Mashudu from the general ward were pretty much active on duty and very helpful during my stay. Regarding the High Care ward, I noticed that 99 percent of the young nurses at this ward are pretty much active on duty (they came at night) and are very helpful/proactive (i.e. Mpho Mulaudzi; Jeanete Komape and the other 3 athletic built/tall guys). While some of the old nurses don’t have respect for anybody and will low key humiliate or soft ghost you (i.e. the lady/sister who handed me over to the general ward on 12 March 2024) and the one with oversized eyewear always did this. Very mean, unapproachable, and rude ladies. What I hated about the high care ward is that they keep all genders in one room (males and females). I think I counted +- 20 beds in this ward, with only 2x toilets and 2x showers shared between mobile patients and staff. There’s no privacy in this ward even though they pull curtains and use some draping to decrease the amount of exposure, I would often see male patients getting out of the toilet with their bums exposed. Also, in this hospital they care so much about billing patients for the use of materials; medicines and catheters to such an extent that when my catheter was removed, I was told by 2 different nurses to use the bedpan so that they can measure my pee and faeces/stool for purposes of billing me (how humiliating). It got worse one night when I was overdosed with meds on my drip, I could hear one nurse saying in the background that she would just use all meds on me as she had already ordered and could not take it back as she had already been billed. After a few minutes my heart started beating very fast and everything was just spinning, hence I say I was overdosed to push the hospital sales! How shocking. I also noted some elements of bad treatment of the elderly by the nurses who would become very impatient and only act nice in the presence of such patients’ families. Hopefully things will improve. Dr Jurgens Leipoldt I battle to find words to describe the amazing work and my total satisfaction with Dr Jurgens Leipoldt’ work (General surgeon). My case was very complicated due to a previous desmoid tumor excursion and a subsequent radiation therapy done around my abdominal area in 2018. This left me with a very terrible hernia and my initial surgeon had decided to refer me to a hernia specialist at Mediclinic Midstream. The Midstream surgeon had advised against opening my abdominal area to repair the hernia due to the sensitivity of my abdominal area and only gave me an abdominal belt to help ease abdominal hernia pain. He concluded that he could only operate “as a matter of life and death”. I would often get minor strangulation, and this became a norm to such an extent that my family knew that when this occurred, I should be rushed to ER. I would then be okay after vomiting/ diarrhea or a drip. Unfortunately, I lived this life for +- 6 years. This frustrated me as all I ever wanted was a permanent solution to my health condition. I was introduced and attended to by Dr Leipoldt at the General Ward. I was very worried, but a lady nurse (Ruth) and Mashudu assured me that everything would be alright as long as I am under Dr Leipoldt’ care. Dr Leipoldt came to see me every day and would ask all the right questions, I guess he was researching my case at this stage. He was simultaneously trying a non-surgical treatment on me and also sending me for bloods and scans. On 27 Feb 2024, Dr Leipoldt came to see and said, “it’s going to be hard, but I think we should operate if you permit”. On this day, I could tell that Dr Leipoldt had chosen to remain professional and positive as he wanted me to feel comfortable, but he was equally filled with questions and concerns about the surgery. On my side, it became imminent that surgery was very critical but dangerous. I immediately agreed to have an operation - firstly because at this stage I knew I was in very capable hands and also because this was the only approach to help deal with my condition for good! I was finally operated on 28 Feb 2024. Everything was a success, no one had to tell me this as I could see from my surgeon’s face when he visited me at the ward later that day. Dr Leipoldt monitored me closely as I was recuperating in hospital until I was discharged on 15 March 2024 and continues to do so. He referred me to a professional wound care specialist nurse (Janette Nel) for care, but I see him as and when there is a need. Having had this operation has drastically changed my life in a good way. My bowel is now operating like a blue train 😊. I have no issues at all! Dr Leipoldt is truly the best in the business. Professional from start to finish and I could not have wished for a better outcome. He is one of those considerate, gentle and kind souls. One writer said: “He is the strong silent type; a bit shy but totally efficient” - I agree 100%. He also presents qualities such as deep empathy, excellent listening skills, and the ability to focus deeply on his work. Despite being shy, he is extremely caring and made me feel very comfortable and safe around him. I would 100 percent recommend him. I am so grateful and very glad that I trusted Dr Leipoldt with this procedure, I don't regret a thing! Thank you, Dr Leipoldt, for the professional way you handled my complicated case. I commend you and your staff for the warm treatment. Forever grateful, Sr Janette Nel I started seeing Sister Janette Nel as my wound care specialist nurse, effective 15 March 2024. She attended to my wound at the general ward, prior to my discharge at Life Wilgers Hospital. We have been doing wound care every 2-3 days since my discharge from hospital. From my observation and interaction with her, I noted that Sr Janette is passionate; enthusiastic; very patient; professional; keen; pays meticulous attention to detail; and of course, is a very friendly/caring lady. I’ve had my bad days particularly when I went for my follow-up appointments as I felt like my body was failing me considering that my wound was taking a considerable time to heal. In the face of all these overwhelming challenges, Sr Janette was able to preserve; reassure me that everything will be okay as I am in good hands and provided me with support, love, and continued treatment. I can confidently say that Sr Janette is the BEST wound care professional. To date, I have and continue to receive best care from Sr Janette. Being under her care has been very wonderful and her communication/prioritization skills are just too great. Sr Janette also took care of a dog bite wound on my son's knee at no cost despite my insistence to be invoiced for these services which were professionally rendered. God bless you Sr J. Meyer J F Inc/ Hanlie Meyer (Physiothe******) Hanlie from Meyer J F Inc (Physiothe******) came to see me the day before my procedure and advised that she would be assisting me with physio activities; gave me tips on what to expect after theater; and demonstrated to me how I should get off bed after the operation. I felt well informed and in good hands. Soon after the procedure, I was moved to the High Care unit. At this stage I had persistent pain, weakness, swelling and a range of motion limitations. All I wanted at this stage was someone to immediately help me return to my previous activities, i.e. being mobile. I wanted the catheter out; wanted nothing to do with bed bathing and/or bedpan as I know my body is very prone to infections. The physio returned in the morning following my procedure. I was not up for anything on this day, but she massaged me; helped me with breathing exercises; helped me to get off my bed and we took our first walk. We would do this twice every day and after my 4th session post op the catheter was removed, and I started bathing in the shower and Hanlie was also shocked that we managed to achieve this within a short space of time. What a relief Hanlie always left me in awe, she has a small but strong and fit body. She immediately puts you at ease, is very friendly, knowledgeable, professional, respectful, patient and calming, great commutator, and a good listener (I would vent and express my frustrations to her, and we also shared loads of good laughter). My husband enjoyed watching us walk and couldn’t stop commending her on the good work she was doing. Big thumbs up to Meyer J F Inc, Hanlie and team 👍 Dr Thabo Makgabo (Medicine) Had surgery at Life Wilgers Hospital on 28 Feb 2024 and was discharged on 15 March 2024. Dr Makgabo and Sister Portia came to see me each day following my procedure until I was discharged. I believe they evaluated/reviewed my prescribed medicine to determine compliance and complications with such medicine, among others.. From my observation and interaction with this team, I noted that Dr Makgabo is very friendly; respectful; knowledgeable; an open communicator; free-spirited; passionate; caring; supportive; professional; pays meticulous attention to detail; demonstrated empathy; and is multilingual - it was an advantage to me that the doctor could speak in my language. What stood out for me was Dr Makgabo’s ability to engage effectively in small talk with patients and nurses. This says a lot about his warmth and empathy. Big thumbs up to Dr Makgabo and team 👍 Mrs CIA Meiring (Dietician) Mrs CIA Meiring didn’t say much but she was kind and friendly. She also prescribed nice meals for me when I was cleared for soft meals. Also managed to lose some kilos during my stay at Life Wilgers Hospital for the period 25 Feb 2024 to 15 March 2024. Du Buisson Kramer Swart/ Ampath (Pathologist) Had surgery at Life Wilgers Hospital on 28 Feb 2024 and was discharged on 15 March 2024. The lady who would often come to draw/take blood samples from me in the early morning hours (bald headed) was very mean, rude, unapproachable and would not even greet me nor the nurses on duty. Not once in 15 days did she even initiate a conversation. I would just hand over my hand; she does her thing and leaves. Unnecessary energy! Regards
During September 2021, I purchased a Haval Jolion from Golden Era Motors financed through Wesbank Bank. For the first during October 2023, the car broke down in the middle of the road without any reasonable explanation. It was returned to me within a period of +- 10 days. Mind you I am a single mother of 2 and got stuck while drive with my 2 kids, painfully so, I was not even offered a courtesy car. Once again, on 8 December 2023, the car broke down again for no apparent reason. I am told by AA that the car is being taken to Haval Hatfield. In summation, the Jolion had to be towed to the dealership twice within a period of 2 months. This is a disadvantage to me, and I unfortunately cannot take it back. I should also put it on record that I know my rights as consumers, I am particularly fami**** with the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act and the National Credit Act which are in my favour under the given circumstances. The dealership had not even given us a courtesy car now and even during the first encounter. It is appalling how Haval and the dealership are treating this situation, also ignoring the emotional distress that my two children and a woman on her own were put through when the vehicle cut out and lost power twice, in the middle of the road in peak traffic. As a South African woman who is so aware of violence against woman and children to be put in that situation, alone, waiting for hours to be towed to a safe place – to be treated in such a demeaning manner is very hurtful to say the least. I have questioned the safety and faults of the vehicle when I purchased from Golden Era Motors (Steve Biko Road Branch).
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