The client brought a civil claim against Phyllis Peake who operated a business known as SA's Helping Hand, which purported to help people who had relatives in prison. The client claimed that Phyllis Peake undertook to have her son's prison sentence reduced and would secure an early release on parole. A R100 joining fee was paid. The claim failed. An appeal was lodged (case A 317/1983) but this too failed. As a result, many other claimants against SA's Helping Hand could not be assisted with their claims. These cases are included with press clippings relating to the activities of Phyllis Peake. There is also a transcript of the appeal.
The client joined Helping Aid, a benefit society that promised to secure finance for home and car loans. A R4000 deposit was paid on a car, but the car was not delivered. The LRC wrote a letter of demand. Helping Aid offered to refund R3600, which the LRC advised the client to accept.
In 1978, the client entered into a contract with Golden Aid. He was to pay R6 per month in exchange for burial cover for him and his family. Golden Aid also promised assistance with securing a loan on his behalf after three years had elapsed. After a while the premiums went up and the client was made to sign a written agreement that differed materially from the original verbal representations. The LRC assisted the client in repudiating the agreement and securing a refund on the basis that the clauses in the agreement were so vague that there was no clarity as to the respective obligations of the parties. The court found in favour of the client but no money was refunded as Golden Aid could not be traced.
The client belonged to Tshililo Burial Society. When the society raised its fees he decided to withdraw and asked for a refund of premiums, which was refused. The LRC referred the client to Legal Aid because of the difficulties involved in litigation against small township-based societies.
The client joined Golden Aid, a benefit society that undertook to provide burial cover, insurance, loans, etc. These representations were verbally made. The client was then made to sign a contract which differed materially from the verbal contract. In total the client paid Golden Aid R670. The LRC wrote a letter of demand on the client's behalf to recover the money he had paid in, but nothing came of it.
The client belonged to African Star Aid, a benefit society. When the client approached them for assistance, he was refused. He approached the LRC to help get his premiums refunded. However, the organisation shut down and the staff disappeared before anything could be done.
The client belonged to Golden Hands, an organisation that verbally offered burial policies and personal loans in exchange for monthly premiums. When he asked for a loan he was told that that was not part of the benefits and was made to sign a new written agreement that differed from the original verbal one. He then demanded a refund, which was refused. He approached the LRC who assisted him in going to the Small Claims Court.
