Long-Time Female Supplier Facing Unfair Treatment, Non-Payment, and Disrespectful Conduct at Engene Garage Hospital View, Tembisa

I have been supplying ice to Engene Garage Hospital View, Tembisa since the day it opened, delivering reliably and consistently, ensuring the store never runs out of stock—even during peak periods. I’ve remained professional, committed, and cooperative throughout our business relationship.

Sadly, the treatment I’ve received from the site and floor managers has become completely unacceptable. Newer suppliers are openly favored, while I, as a long-standing partner, am treated as if I’m being done a favor just for being allowed to continue delivering.

As a female supplier, I’ve also experienced clear gender bias. My requests are often ignored or delayed, while male counterparts are treated with more respect and given better support. One example is my storage space, which was moved from its original, rightful first position to the third position—a space meant for the newest supplier.

Even worse, that favored supplier has now been permitted to refill their ice stock inside my assigned storage space. This is not only disrespectful but completely unacceptable. I have made repeated requests for fair treatment, yet the situation continues to worsen.

Additionally, last month’s payment and this month’s—paid earlier this month—remain unsettled. I have followed up over four to five times, and although I was promised that the payment would be processed last week, I am still waiting with no resolution or meaningful communication.

As a small business owner, this combination of unfair favoritism, gender bias, storage interference, and non-payment makes it extremely difficult to continue in good faith. I hope this review prompts the management at Engene Garage Hospital View to urgently correct these issues and treat all suppliers—especially long-standing women-led businesses—with the fairness and professionalism we deserve.