Ignite Fitness FORCES ******** DEBITS and REFUSES to SUSPEND Membership due to injury

RE: FORMAL COMPLAINT : CEASE ******** DEBIT ORDERS AND SUSPEND MEMBERSHIP Egregious mishandling of my membership at Ignite Fitness branch, which commenced in late November 2022 I wish to place the following on record: I joined the gym as a pensioner under the explicit agreement of a monthly fee of R 485, on a month to month basis, with the amount fixed for one year as of at the time of membership initiation. I must bring to your immediate attention the sequence of events that have transpired, leading to significant breaches of my human rights and violations of consumer protection laws. Until September 2023, I upheld my end of the ‘agreement’ diligently, ensuring that all membership dues were settled promptly. As of October 1, 2023, the next payment was scheduled, in adherence to the terms outlined in our month to month stipulation. You pay for the month, and you train in that month. However, beginning in March 2023, I suffered a debilitating hip injury, severely restricting my ability to engage in routine fitness activities. Despite enduring this setback, I continued my efforts to utilize the gym facilities whenever feasible. Unfortunately, in September 2023, my health deteriorated further, culminating in a severe illness that rendered me unable to attend the gym. In response to my escalating health concerns, I promptly notified the floor reception in September 2023, in the absence of available management, of my intention to suspend my membership starting October 2023. I made it explicitly clear that I anticipated a temporary suspension lasting three months, encompassing October, November, and December 2023, with the expectation of resuming my membership thereafter. Despite repeated attempts, I received no formal acknowledgment or confirmation of this suspension request. Furthermore, on October 12, 2023, following the forceful debit of my October 2023 premium om September 29 2023, I reached out to Ignite HQ. I was instructed by one Zady Cupido to provide a sick certificate, which I could only obtain from my specialist on November 9, 2023. I did explain the time delay to her. Despite promptly furnishing the certificate to Stuart Heyns, upon receipt, as per his guidance, and subsequent assurances of escalation to the Somerset West Brach GM, Rika, my membership remained active, contrary to the suspension request made due to my incapacitating health condition. Ignite Fitness has since, ********ly debited my bank account on numerous occasions since October 2022. These debits, between the amounts of R485.00 and R 585.00, have been consistently charged without my explicit consent or lawful justification. Despite my efforts to contest these unauthorized withdrawals, my bank has been unable to intervene, citing the persistent nature of the debit orders forcefully imposed by Ignite Fitness. It seems that there is an ******* track on my account to track monies coming in, as when there is an income into the account the debit is automatically forced. (I shall provide banking statements to this effect should it be required.) I must emphasize that the unilateral imposition of these debit orders, coupled with the refusal to acknowledge my legitimate suspension request, constitutes a flagrant violation of my consumer rights under South African law. Furthermore, the failure to provide adequate recourse or transparency regarding the terms of my membership agreement is indicative of deceptive and unconscionable business practices. Despite my consistent efforts to engage with the Ignite accounts department via email, providing detailed explanations of my position and outlining the egregious breaches of contract and consumer rights I have endured, the matter remains unresolved. This continued lack of response and accountability from Ignite's accounts department only exacerbates the severity of the situation. In light of the aforementioned grievances, I hereby demand the immediate cessation of all unauthorized debit orders imposed by Ignite Fitness on my bank account. Furthermore, I insist on the formal suspension of my membership, effective October 2023, for the duration of the stipulated three-month period. Any attempts to coerce or intimidate me into acquiescing to ******** payment obligations will be met with swift legal action and public scrutiny.

I implore you to provide unequivocal clarity on the necessary documentation and procedures required to effectuate the suspension of my membership in accordance with the terms outlined herein. Failure to comply with this demand within seven (7) days of receipt will leave me with no alternative but to pursue all available legal remedies to rectify this egregious breach of contract and consumer rights. Please govern yourself accordingly.

Sincerely,

Anne-Marie Bartie