Alfred Moselakgomo

Alfred Moselakgomo

A Mpumalanga teacher who lost R400 a month to a government medical aid scheme she had left 10 months earlier has been refunded - thanks to Sowetan.

Sinah Mahanyele, a teacher at GaMaria's Lehlabile High School, complained that though her contract with GEM's medical aid scheme was terminated in June last year, the company continued to deduct the cash.

She said she pleaded with the company to stop the deductions without success.

Sowetan ran the report and yesterday the medical aid scheme refunded Mahanyele all the money they had deducted after the date she terminated her contract.

"Thank you Sowetan for helping me get my money," said Mahanyele, after being told the good news.

"For the past 10 months I was sent from pillar to post trying to get my money back but you managed to bring back my money in just one day!"

GEM's Martina Nicholson confirmed that they had refunded Mahanyele but declined to reveal the amount.

"The Medical Schemes Act states that all medical scheme records must be kept confidential and we are not able to divulge the specific aspects of this member's contribution and membership records."

"We have refunded her and also apologised for any inconvenience we caused," she said.

"The wellbeing of every member is of primary concern to us and we value all feedback."