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Sunday Times reports that about 15,000 SA Post Office (Sapo) employees and pensioners may have no medical aid from next month after the Medipos medical scheme told them it was cutting them off because it was owned R602m in member subscriptions by the postal services.
In a letter sent to affected employees last week, the scheme’s principal officer, Thabisiwe Mlotshwa, said Sapo had not paid the contributions made by members over to the scheme for the past 15 months. “On the odd occasion that we do receive some form of contribution it will only be partial payment. To date, a total of approximately R602m is owed by Sapo to Medipos, thus a significant portion of your contributions remains unpaid,” the letter indicated. It went on to advise: “The board has regretfully had to come to a decision that should your arrear contribution not be received by September 30, your membership will be suspended with immediate effect from October 1. This means you will have no cover for medical expenses.” Sapo spokesperson Nobuhle Njapha acknowledged that the state-owned agency was in arrears, blaming it on “a massive drop in revenue” caused by the Covid pandemic and lockdown restrictions. She said Sapo was engaging with Medipos and the unions on the way forward. Njapha added that Sapo regarded the payment of the medical aid contributions as “vital”. David Mangena of the SA Postal Workers Union said they were hopeful that last-minute engagements would see some kind of resolution.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Gill Gifford on page 8 of Sunday Times of 19 September 2021
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