Request for Assistance with Membership Reinstatement

I have been a loyal Virgin Active member for many years. Initially, I was on a 24‑month contract, and once that ended, my membership continued on a month‑to‑month basis.

Unfortunately, I was the victim of a hijacking incident during which the perpetrators reversed several of my debit orders through FNB, including those for Virgin Active. At that time, it was possible to reverse up to 12 months of debit orders in one day. I was not aware that my Virgin Active payments had been reversed until much later, when I attempted to return to the gym and was informed that I owed R6,000.

I immediately disputed this claim and contacted Virgin Active Head Office for clarity. I was told that I had been reversing debit orders, but upon further investigation, it became clear that the reversals all occurred on the day of the hijacking. This was not my doing, nor was I aware of it at the time.

I am now eager to return to Virgin Active, but I have been asked to pay R3,000 to reinstate my membership. Unfortunately, I do not have the means to pay this amount. I kindly request that someone in authority reviews my case and assists me in rejoining the gym without this financial burden, given that the debit order reversals were not intentional on my part.