Johannesburg - Bonitas Medical Fund and the Council for
Medical Schemes (CMS) have agreed to a settlement which brings a two-year
dispute between the parties to an end.
In terms of a court order issued by the South Gauteng Court
on Friday May 27 2011, Joseph Maluleke was appointed curator for 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, Judge 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 Bonitas' governance.
The registrar of medical schemes, Dr Monwabisi Gantsho,
reiterated that the council would give Bonitas and the curator all the necessary support to protect members' interests.
Bonitas' 2010 audited financial results saw year-on-year
surpluses increase sharply by more than R500m
and the solvency ratio strengthen to 36.5% - significantly higher
than the legislated 25% minimum.