Active since May 2016
This review is particularly addressed to Mr Luyanda Njomose. It is to express my appreciation to him for his outstanding service. I express my heartfelt appreciation for the outstanding assistance I received from Luyanda regarding my son’s medical aid dependent status. I had been struggling for over a month to resolve an issue where my son, originally listed as Dependant No. 2, had been moved to Dependant No. 6. I was informed there would be a waiting period of three months for general use and twelve months for pre-existing conditions. During this time, I felt stressed and helpless, as my repeated emails, phone calls, and online requests seemed to go unheard. However, Luyanda approached the matter with patience, professionalism, and genuine care. After I provided him with all the reference numbers for my cases, he took the time to thoroughly investigate the situation and resolved it efficiently. Thanks to his diligence and expertise, my son has now been correctly reinstated as Dependant No. 2 without any waiting period. Luyanda’s calm, empathetic, and solution-oriented approach not only resolved my issue promptly but also restored my confidence in GEMS’ commitment to its members. It is rare to encounter someone who genuinely listens, takes ownership of a problem, and ensures a positive outcome, and Luyanda exemplifies these qualities. I hope that this letter reaches him not only to acknowledge Luyanda’s exceptional contribution, but also to highlight what an incredible asset he is to the GEMS team. His professionalism, efficiency, and dedication deserve recognition, and I am extremely grateful for his assistance. Please extend my sincerest thanks to him. His support made a significant difference during a stressful time, and I am truly appreciative. Please let him know that I am very grateful to him and I send good wishes and blessings to him. Truly, I have now regained my senses and peace of mind as I was so stressed for over a month.
I tried contacting FNB directly. They don't care to respond. So here is my problem: Here are a list of times that I have contacted FNB and complained, including to the ***** department. I am ignored and dismissed. No one takes my complaints seriously because after all, I am only a 68 year old pensioner so why should you bother about me when you have many important businesses and professional people, all younger than me. I also am a professional and entrusted my entire life to FNB from the time I was a teenager. Which makes that about 50 years with you!!! I was with you even before you were renamed FNB. I also insisted that all 4 of my children be FNB clients as we opened accounts for them when they were very little. They are all professionals now, all with FNB and are doctors and specialists. It is an utter shame to FNB that you treat a loyal client so disdainfully. Not that it matters to you because you have no heart and no conscience. DEBIT CARD : 2025 26 April BYC debit R50.60 24 June BYC debit R50.00 27 September BYC debit R50.00 O4 October BYC debit R50.00 27 October Mr D Food R273.66 CREDIT CARD : 2025 04 March Google One (London) R529.99 26 June Uber (Cape Town) R371.00 28 August One Day Only R927,00 20 October Shein R3726 20 October Shein R3726 20 October Uber (CT) R11.20 20 October Uber (CT) R70.00 20 October Uber (CT) R73.00 20 October Uber Eats (Johannesburg) R193.48 22 October Cash Adv R600.00 26 October Mr D Food (CT) R272.00 26 October Mr D Food (CT) R294.89 29 October Mr D Food (CT) R353.59 30 October Mr D Food (CT) R236.48 21 November Mr D Food (CT) R244.35 This is NOT the end of the list. I have not yet checked my December and January Statements
Hi. I am trying desperately to get resolution to my query and urgent intervention. Whenever, I complain, I get a standard, stock response, which included *** numbers. I am then further informed that a consultant will get back to me. I declared a dispute and have yet to hear from their dispute resolution department. I also emphasised the urgency of this case, it being an emergency and life threatening. It's over a month now and I have not got any answers to my query. Last week I was contacted by a gentleman, Luyanda, who said he will try to assist me. He asked for all my reference numbers. He kept his promise to call me back at 7pm. And promised me that he would call me back the next day, being Friday. However, sadly I am disillusioned that he has not called me back. He also referred me to a lovely lady, Tasleem who tried to help. She did put my son on chronic with immediate effect. But I cannot access the services. Please, Luyanda can you respond by calling me urgently to update me. I feel that Gems is not taking my complaint seriously and disregarding my plight. Can this matter now be referred to your highest authority as the dispute mechanisms have failed me. Many thanks to the one reading this and if I receive a response urgently.
These people are supposed to be professionals. But I found out that they are actually amateurs. They have so many excuses. They are unhelpful and ***********. They did our vehicle a week ago and now say they don't have stock of the wrap needed. It is such a small job that I feel they won't make enough profits on it and therefore don't want to do it. I am a pensioner. They make me come there and then told me to go home. They are not interested in the inconvenience they are causing and the cost of driving all the way to them. They said it will be a 5 minute job and now it seems like it will take them weeks to get the wrap. That is unprofessional. Once they received the payment, there is no after sales service!
Hi everyone at GEMS. I have been told to wait for 7 days. I have been told that a consultant will reach out to me. I am heartbroken to report again via Hellopeter that this has NOT happened. Whoever is reading this message, please can you action an intervention urgently. I DID put in a dispute to which I received no reply except that someone will get back to me. How would you feel if you child was experience a life threatening illness and can get no help no matter how much you beg and plead? I have begged and I have pleaded for over a month now and NO response. Please if there is anyone there who cares about a frail, elderly pensioner can you direct me to the highest authority to get some answers urgently? Many thanks
I am using this platform because all other attempts to resolve my issue has FAILED. I complained to GEMS, using emails, telephone calls and via HelloPeter. I use HelloPeter as a last resort when I don't get a response from the company itself. I have now lodged a dispute. I used the email address provided by GEMS for disputes to be lodged. I didn't get any response, nor did I get a reference number for my dispute. So I am again lodging a dispute via Hellopeter and I hope that it reaches the correct department: Here is my dispute: DISPUTE GEMS URGENT and MEDICAL EMERGENCY URGENT DISPUTE: ******** Removal of Adult Dependent and Immediate Request for Reinstatement Without Waiting Periods Dear Sir / Madam, I write this email with extreme urgency and distress to formally dispute the removal of my adult son from my medical aid membership and to request his immediate reinstatement without the imposition of any waiting periods. Background and continuity of membership My son has been registered continuously as my dependent on my medical aid membership since 1 June 2017, for a period exceeding eight (8) uninterrupted years. He has always appeared as Dependent 02, and during this entire time, his benefits were accessed lawfully and without interruption. Throughout the years, whenever verification was required, your scheme contacted me directly to complete and return dependency confirmation forms. I comp**** fully on each occasion. At no stage was I advised that his dependency would lapse, expire, or require renewal by a specific deadline. Lack of notification and procedural failure In December 2025, my son was informed at a doctor’s visit that his membership had “expired”. This was the first time either of us became aware that he had allegedly been removed from my membership. I categorically state the following: • I received no written notice, email, letter, SMS, or telephonic communication advising that my son would be removed. • I received no request to renew or re-confirm his dependency prior to removal. • I received no notice of termination, nor reasons provided, as required by principles of administrative fairness. I formally request that the scheme produce written proof that I was informed in advance of the removal of my son from my membership. In the absence of such proof, the removal is procedurally unfair and ********. Proof of inclusion and reliance Further, in December 2025, I received official communication advising me of my increased monthly contribution for 2026 (R16,181 before subsidy). This quotation included ALL my dependants, which reasonably led me to believe that my son’s membership remained active. I re**** on this representation in good faith. Medical urgency and severe hardship My son suffers from trigeminal neuralgia, a severe and internationally recognised neurological condition often referred to as the “suicide disease” due to the extreme, debilitating pain it causes. He was diagnosed about 4 years after joining Gems. This condition: • Is chronic and pre-existing • Requires continuous medical management • Has already forced us to pay for consultations out of pocket I am a pensioner, and I simply cannot continue to fund his care privately. More importantly, any interruption in treatment places him at risk of serious bodily impairment, severe psychological distress, and potential loss of life. This situation constitutes a medical emergency, and the standard dispute resolution timeframe of 21–30 days is not reasonable in these circumstances. Objection to waiting periods and penalties I was advised that my son can only be re-added as a “new” dependent (now Dependent 06), subject to: • A 3-month general waiting period • A 12-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions • A late-joiner penalty I object strongly to the application of any waiting period. There has been no break in dependency, only an administrative removal without notice. Under the Medical Schemes Act and CMS rules, waiting periods are not applicable where there is continuous cover and no voluntary lapse by the member. While I do not accept fault, I am willing, to consider a penalty if deemed unavoidable. However, I cannot and will not accept waiting periods, as they are unjust, ******** in this context, and medically dangerous. Formal request I hereby request the following: 1. Immediate reinstatement of my son on my membership without any waiting periods 2. Recognition of continuous membership from 1 June 2017 3. Written reasons and proof of notification allegedly sent prior to his removal 4. Immediate authorisation of treatment for his trigeminal neuralgia 5. Escalation of this matter to the Principal Officer due to medical emergency Should this matter not be resolved urgently, I will have no option but to escalate it to the Council for Medical Schemes, including an application for urgent intervention, as well as pursue further legal remedies. I am not asking for special treatment. I never have in all my years with you. I only plead for fairness, humanity, and compliance with the law. I trust that the scheme will act responsibly and compassionately in this matter. Yours faithfully, Premilla Deonath Principal Member 000314000 My phone number is 0813399290
Heartbroken at the arrogant, unprofessional and dismal treatment by GEMS staff. They do not want to listen and do not accept that they are at fault. They removed my son from my medical aid, though I sent in all documents required to adult beneficiary. I have done this for years. When I complained the heartless, arrogant guy told me I had to apply anew. This meant that he would be a new dependant. They sent me a letter saying there is a 3 month waiting period and 12 months waiting period for certain illnesses. Why is this necessary when it was NOT my fault. Every year I have sent in documents and had no problems. Suddenly new *********** staff, uneducated and untrained rule our lives carelessly. I appeal to someone higher up to take note of my plea. I am a pensioner and I don't need this stress. They now say my monthly contribution for medical aid will be over R14000! Please help
A disgusting experience here. A group of friends (tourists) decided to end a memorable trip to Cape Town with a lovely dinner. We chose The Wild Fig Restaurant. Everyone in the team are professionals, all being doctors. When one of the friends went in first the waitress mocked him and said Ching Chong Chinaman. He is of Chinese descent. This was horrifying. Being appalled by it, they asked for the manager. The rude manager dismissed it and said they misunderstood her and defended her. They also insulted the whole group. They didn't talk in the office. They were talking in the corridor. Then the insult went even further. They said the two people who had complained were making too much noise and customers were complaining about them!!! This is abusive and ******. Can someone please take this seriously and can someone attend to it urgently. They said these workers are there for many years. It was an absolute insult and disgusting to be treated in this manner.
A most disgusting company. From months back, I received a call from an agent from Vodacom, offering me a package for fibre. This call was unsolicited. I didn't ask for a quote. Vodacom employs brain damaged, young, arrogant staff. This young woman promised me the world. After much deliberation and the nice way in which she enticed me, we agreed to instal it with them. Then her manager phoned to explain that she is in training and made false promises to me and that I must forgive her for her mistake. I felt sorry for her and forgave her and accepted that the promises were all lies. However, I gave her a deadline by which to instal it as we were going overseas. I comp**** with whatever she asked us. We sent our 3 months bank statements and personal details. However, she suddenly landed in Hospital and couldn't take our calls. It seems like if an employee is sick, Vodacom come to a complete stop. Because that's what happened. Someone, without our consent delivered a router to my neighbours house. We left overseas and I told her to cancel our contract as the agreement was that it must be done before we leave. When we got back she insisted that we cancel our old line. I said we could not because we cannot trust that they will come and instal our new line. I cannot afford to be without internet. She became very rude and said why did i waste their time and I was not serious. She is an imbecile. If we were not serious, would we have sent our personal details and bank accounts statements. Since then no one has contacted us. I am so afraid that Vodacom staff will ***** our bank information and ***** all our money because that is the characterless woman I spoke to. She is completely out of line. Vodacom should fire her!!! I am terrified that she will rob me off all my pension money. I am a pensioner but she sounds so immature, greedy, lying, cheating and *********. VODACOM, PLEASE GIVE ME A CALL AS I HOLD YOU RESPONSIBLE FOR THE THEFT OF MY BANKING ACCOUNT DETAILS, MY PERSONAL DETAILS AND ANY LOSS I MAY INCUR!!!
Really absolutely disgusted with the level of service received from Vodacom. Unprofessional, poor service, empty promises and misleading. A young woman approached me with an "Black Friday" special. She was very polite and explained everything, almost everything very professionally. I liked her mannerisms. So I took a contract, in fact a more expensive contract than the one she initially offered me. However, from that point onwards it became a nightmare. I explained to them that I am leaving overseas and wanted it installed before I leave. I also told them that, if it couldn't be done within this week, then I would have to cancel as no one would be at home to let them in. We were all going on holiday. They accepted this. After many empty promises, a 'gentleman' called me and rectified the empty promises made and told me that there was an error made by the initial saleslady, which I accepted and understood. I knew she was enthusiastic and may have sold more than she could deliver. However, I accepted his explanation and still went ahead with the contract, under the same conditions, that I am departing overseas and needed it installed urgently. He agreed. It took a long time for me to begin to trust Vodacom again. I used to be their client long ago but changed service providers due to their incompetence, unprofessionalism and don't care attitude. I thought I would give them a chance again and maybe rebuild trust. However, I am shocked to learn that the incompetence, unprofessionalism and "don't care attitude' still exists to this day, over a decade later. When calling them, I am shoved from pillar to post. As for original "nice" young lady, excuses, excuses, excuses. I'm in a meeting until late hours of the night. Then not taking calls. Then cutting calls rudely. Then "I am in hospital" I will call your tomorrow. Then rejecting all call altogether. That is Vodacom and their usual ******* service.
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