The closure of @ Specialist hospital in Hospital Park follows months of reported delays in salary payments, with affected workers raising concerns about the hospital’s financial responsibilities, employment practices and the treatment of employees by its owners. The owners are also faced with allegations of poor communication and unfulfilled employment commitments.

One of the directors, Matthew Rantso, confirmed the hospital is under an offer to purchase, with the deed of sale signed on 30 October. Rantso, who also represents Gradostep (Pty) Ltd, one of the prospective buyers, said the company would assume responsibility for the business once the legal transfer had been completed.

“Gradostep (Pty) Ltd will assume all benefits and risks of the businesses upon legal transfer of the businesses and buildings at the effective date as defined in the deed of sale. I am bound by the terms of the sale agreement as one of the purchasers not to disclose any information pertaining to the company.”

Meanwhile, employees received communication on Tuesday (10/11) outlining a proposed payment arrangement for their retrenchment packages.

According to the proposed arrangement, half of the retrenchment packages would be paid between Monday (9/11) and Saturday, subject to employees signing their retrenchment packages. A further quarter would be paid on a date yet to be confirmed, with the remaining quarter also scheduled for a date still to be determined.

However, it is understood that not all affected employees have been called in to receive and discuss their retrenchment documentation, despite the payment structure already being communicated. Employees have also accused hospital management of failing to honour several employment-related financial commitments.

‘Employees claim they were left carrying these costs themselves’

They allege that pension fund contributions were promised from the commencement of their employment but were never properly implemented.

There were also reportedly written commitments regarding employer contributions towards medical aid. However, employees claim they were left carrying these costs themselves, while some experienced interruptions or the loss of medical cover.

The workers further allege that on 1 October, they arrived at work only to be denied access to the premises by security personnel. They claim they were left outside in cold, windy and rainy conditions for approximately five hours before eventually leaving, with little meaningful communication about their employment status or the situation at the hospital.

Employees were subsequently subjected to a retrenchment process which they describe as being characterised by uncertainty, inadequate communication and unanswered questions. They claim the company relied on an external consultant, Struwig van der Merwe, to communicate with them during the process.

The dispute was reportedly referred to the CCMA, but the employer’s representatives reportedly failed to attend the proceedings. Employees have continued pursuing outstanding remuneration and the documentation required to finalise their employment affairs. Despite repeated attempts to obtain answers, they say they have struggled to receive meaningful explanations from the directors, particularly the majority shareholders, Dries Bekker and his wife, Annatjie.

OFM News has since sent questions to hospital management seeking further clarification on the closure, outstanding employee payments, pension and medical aid contributions, as well as the proposed sale of the hospital.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi sm

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