Amakhosi to join state medical fund

The Government Employees Medical Scheme (Gems) will gain at least 900 new members following the state's decision to provide amakhosi with medical aid benefits.

Eugene Watson, the principal officer at GEMS, said the scheme was implementing its standard take-on procedure and the necessary stakeholder engagements had taken place.  It is not yet clear if the state will pay the full premiums or if the chiefs will make a contribution.

Mike Mabuyakhulu, the MEC for local government, housing and traditional affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, said that the medical aid benefits would apply from April.

Lennox Mabaso, a spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal department, said it was important to add all the benefits to which civil servants were entitled because the chiefs were constitutionally recognised.