Old Mutual ‘regrets the distress’ caused by dead body funeral claim incident

Following Wednesday’s outcry over a viral video of a family dragging a body to an Old Mutual office in KwaZulu-Natal for proof of death, the insurance company on Thursday made an official apology to South Africa.

“Old Mutual deeply regrets the distress caused by the delay in the payout of the funeral claim to a family in Stanger, KwaZulu-Natal,” the company said in a press release, further noting that the funeral claim was originally delayed “for further individual assessment” and not because the company doubted the death of its client.

South Africans, however, are still angry, with some questioning the sincerity and truth behind Old Mutual’s statement.

Whuuuu shame I will not forgive you for this, in my culture the deceased is given the highest form of respect. I can’t believe you’ve made people cross that line with your terrible service 🚮 🚮

— Vuyiswa Mzinyathi 🇿🇦 (@vuyiswa612) November 20, 2019

Voetsek, you debiting people’s accounts every month but you want people to beg for their money when they need it, the same energy you use when debiting you should use when you receive claims

— Dakallo (@dakallo_) November 20, 2019

Suka!!! You’re only apologising because you’ve been exposed

— Leighratwo (@Leighratwo1) November 20, 2019

Old mutual takes the debit orders on time.

Same should apply when it’s the consumers time to get the benefit of the specific policy – sadly it’s very rarely the case.

Same can be said about insurance companies

— Naeem Karim (@teabag789) November 20, 2019

I would like to know what were u assesing?

— Sinethemba Masana (@Sinethemba_Run) November 20, 2019

I can’t begin to imagine the number of people Old Mutual managed to rob & get away with it , the sad part they take advantage of the poor/those without information to take them on ,right now this apology is nothing but damage control …Old Mutual Nijwayela Kabi Bantfu 😪

— Lady Mc Marson 🌸 (@SkylarMcMarson) November 20, 2019

Old Mutual, however, promised to improve the way it handles claims by “taking steps to accelerate” the process.

Meanwhile, the company also noted that it will provide support for the family involved in the incident.

Feature image: screenshot, @OldMutualSA via Twitter