Former Hans Merensky employees left in the dark
A group of former workers of the Hans Merensky Hotel, Golf and Spa are not sure about their future with the facility.
This comes after the majority of the employees lost their jobs in 2020 during the hard lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic which affected the tourism industry. At the time the hotel was owned by Shamira Rinderknecht and went into liquidation. The group of about 50 workers consisting of cleaners, cooks, gardeners, and administration staff, says they were told by the liquidators that their jobs are secure and their benefits such as provident funds are safe, but since then they have not received anything.
“For three years the majority of us have been unemployed and we have only received the Covid-19 relief fund, we have not received any of our Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), we were told at the Department of Employment and Labour, that on the system we are still employed by Hans Merensky and as a result, we can’t get UIF. “However, some people were able to receive their UIF and we have tried countless times to have a meeting with Rinderknecht, but every time we are told that she is busy,” one of the disgruntled former workers stated.
Also read: Hans Merensky changes name
In November 2021, businessman, Senzo Tsabedze of Indalo Hotels and Leisure and Afrirent Holdings, bought the hotel for R14 million at an auction. Tsabedze has recently changed the name of the facility to Ba-Phalaborwa Hotel, Golf, and Spa, stating the new name signifies a new start. The former employees said they were also told by the liquidators that their jobs are secured as the new owner will hire them again. “We heard from people that the hotel will soon open, but neither Rinderknecht nor Tsabedze has ever sat down with us to talk about our jobs despite that we are ready to work,” they said.
Meanwhile, Tsabedze said they cannot guarantee employment to the former employees as they were not employed by his company. “The issue of UIF and other benefits they have to take it up with their former employer, as we are not part of any of Rinderknecht’s companies. “We are planning to open the golf course in July and have not started with renovations of the hotel yet. We will advertise jobs as they become available,” Tsabedze concluded. The Herald tried to contact Rinderknecht for comment, but she was unreachable.
