TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ELDERLY SASSA GRANT RECIPIENTS

I write to formally express my utmost dissatisfaction regarding the conduct of your sales agents operating at at Shopping Malls.

My mother, aged 75, was approached by your representatives on the day she received her SASSA old age grant. She does not recall providing consent to open any funeral policy, particularly given her age and the reasonable assumption that she may exceed the permissible age limit to register as a main member.

Subsequently, she discovered a shortfall in her SASSA payment the following month. Upon enquiry with SASSA, she was informed that an amount of R180 was being deducted by Clientèle directly from her grant. At no stage was she provided with policy documentation, terms and conditions, or even a policy number.

We have contacted Clientèle on numerous occasions seeking clarity. However, your representatives have been unable to provide adequate policy details. We requested immediate cancellation and were advised that someone from the cancellations department would contact us. This call was only received a month later, at which point we were informed that 60 days’ notice is required to cancel the policy.

For the avoidance of any doubt:

My mother did not knowingly consent to this policy.

No documentation was provided.

Deductions were made from a social grant without proper disclosure or confirmation.

We hereby demand the following:

Immediate cancellation of the policy

Written confirmation of cancellation

A full refund of all premiums deducted

Should this matter not be resolved promptly, we will escalate the complaint to the appropriate regulatory authorities without further notice.

It is unacceptable that elderly and vulnerable individuals may be targeted in this manner to meet sales targets.