Solidarity again compelled SAPO to cough up for unpaid medical aid contributions

3 September 2022

Solidarity in a further court action against the South African Post Office (SAPO) last week ensured that outstanding medical aid contributions to the tune of almost R4.5 million will be paid to members by Friday 7 October. This followed after Solidarity had obtained an interim court order to ensure that this state entity pay Solidarity members’ outstanding medical aid contributions. 

According to Solidarity, it remains problematic that state entities keep failing to comply with agreements with employees. The interim judgment enforcing payment by the end of the week is supplementary to the previous judgment which ensured payment of R3 million, and the matter will be heard again on 17 October. 

“These annual court actions to protect people’s medical funds and benefits for which they have worked, remain a source of concern. However, the real concern is that employees and former employees are plunged into debt running into hundreds of thousands of rands because SAPO failed to fulfil its responsibilities,” says Anton van der Bijl, deputy general manager of Solidarity. “This entity, like others, has been mismanaged to such an extent that money deducted from salaries, specifically intended to be paid over, never got out of SAPO’s bank account.” 

Solidarity also believes that SAPO is turning a blind eye to the pleas of employees who are struggling with a historical cost of living crisis. This apathetic approach towards those for whom they are responsible gives one a deep insight into the moral compass of the public service. 

“The courts remain the only way to hold the state and its entities accountable, and we will keep doing so. Hard-working people do not deserve being at the mercy of their circumstances – they deserve justice. The courts at least give us this.” 

Issued by Anton van der Bijl, Deputy Chief Executive: Solidarity, Legal Matters, 3 September 2022