Council for Medical Schemes and Bonitas agree on settlement

Bonitas Medical Fund and the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) have agreed to a settlement which effectively brings the two-year dispute between the parties to an end, in the best interests of the members of Bonitas.

In terms of a court order issued by the South Gauteng Court on Friday 27 May 2011, Joseph Maluleke was appointed Curator for a period of 90 days during which time he will be in control of Bonitas. Acting Principal Officer, Gerhard van Emmenis, will revert to his former position of Chief Operating Officer.

Maluleke has served as Bonitas’ Compliance Officer since his appointment by the court nine months ago. His appointment as the scheme’s curator, with Van Emmenis reverting to Chief Operating Officer, was approved by the CMS and will ensure continuity and stability.

In granting the curatorship order Mr Justice Nigel Willis emphasised that he was not placing the Scheme under curatorship due to financial or other difficulties. A Curator was deemed necessary to regularise the governance of Bonitas.

The Registrar of Medical Schemes, Dr Monwabisi Gantsho, who personally attended the court proceedings, reiterated that the Council would give Bonitas and the curator all the support necessary to ensure that the interests of members are protected.

Bonitas’ 2010 audited financial results saw year-on-year surpluses increase sharply by more than R500-million and the solvency ratio strengthen to 36.5% which is significantly higher than the legislated 25% minimum.