Picture: Reitlamile Funeral Parlour
By OBAKENG MAJE
A woman from Manokwane village, near Taung said she is heading to the Small Claim Court to seek a recourse. This comes after the Director of Reitlamile Funeral Parlour, Nobantu Cresta Verby sent her from pillar to post.
According to Boikhutso Plaatjie, she took a funeral cover at Reitlamile Funeral Parlour for her uncle, Tebogo Robert Plaatjie (76) and paid the premium every month as instructed. However, the parlour refused to pay after the passing of her uncle.
“My uncle passed away in February 2023, so I launched a claim with Reitlamile Funeral Parlour. However, the funeral parlour could not keep its promises as its director, Verby, gave me the runaround. She said their underwriter has not paid them yet.
“Now, it has been two months and we had to come up with another plan to ensure that our uncle is buried with dignity at the time. The Reitlamile Funeral Parlour’s behaviour left us in a difficult situation. Even some family members accused me of receiving the money, yet failed to hand it over,” she said.
Plaatjie further said she tried her level best to engage with Verby, but she refused to come to the party. She added Verby deposited R10 000 after she sought assistance from Taung Dailynews.
“She promised to deposit the rest a week after, however, she did not. Verby only deposited R4000 and there is a R6000 balance. I took the matter to the small claim court in a quest to recoup my money from Reitlamile Funeral Parlour. I have now sent them a letter of demand and we will take it from there.
“This is my horrible experience with the Reitlamile Funeral Parlour. I think this must serve as a warning to their potential clients and current ones. This is a kind of attitude that Reitlamile Funeral Parlour will dish out to them during their time of need,” said Plaatjie.
A month ago, Verby told Taung DailyNews that they had a challenge with their underwriter, hence the delay. She promised to resolve the matter, however, according to Plaatjie, nothing has been resolved.
Meanwhile, the Senior Small Claims Court Commissioner at the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court, Henro Du Plessis said: “The Small Claims Court offers a quicker and easier way of resolving certain civil disputes that involve amounts up to R20 000. You do not need a lawyer to represent you at a Small Claims Court.
“All official languages may be used in a Small Claims Court. The court assists on the amount not exceeding R 20 000 (This amount is determined by the Minister from time to time in the Government Gazette, GG 42282, GoN 296, 05 Mar 2019, which comes into effect on 01 Apr 2019. If your claim exceeds R 20 000 in value), you can institute a claim for a lesser amount to pursue your case in the Small Claims Court.”
According to du Plessis, there are cautionary principles for persons using the Small Claim Courts. He said, if one intends to institute a claim in the Small Claims Court, one should ensure that the opposing party is able to compensate you should the judgment be in your favour.
“It is futile to institute a claim against another person, who is unemployed and who possesses no property. Contact the person with whom you have a dispute in person, in writing or telephonically and ask them to settle your claim.
“If the person owing your money has not paid the claim in 14 days, go to the small claims court with a copy of the letter of demand, any contract or agreement between you and the person, which proves the claim, a post slip or any other document that proves that the letter of demand was handed to the person,” said du Plessis.
He said, the clerk of the court will prepare a summons, which will force the person to come to court at the set date. Du Plessis said the summons will be delivered by you or the sheriff of the court.
“Please, always remember the date and time during which your case will be heard. On the day of the court hearing, you must bring proof that the summons was delivered to the person you are claiming from. The court procedure is informal and not complicated.
“You will be expected to tell your story and answer questions from the commissioner of the small claims court. If the person who owes you money refuses to pay, they should then be sent a letter of demand which indicates all the facts and the specific amount you are claiming,” he said.
The Guardian 