Nkosentsha Khumalo
South Africa – A media storm has brewed after a popular reality show, the Devi Show on E-TV aired allegations against Kingdom Blue Funerals, a South African funeral service provider which in recent years has expanded its branches to the furthest reaches of Zimbabwe.
The anchor if the Devi Show, Devi Sankaree Govender, recently caused quite a stir when she accused the alleged malpractices by Kingdom Blue Funerals.
Govender, claimed that Ingrid Classens, a customer of the funeral service provider, reported on the show which aires on Etv that when a relative of hers passed away, she filed for claims with Kingdom Blue but never received the full amount.
According to Mrs. Classens, her attempts to collect her claims hit a brick wall, and she only received a fraction of what was promised to her.
The Devi Show alleged that Kingdom Blue Funerals had failed to honour its commitments to customers and was engaged in fraudulent practices, such as withholding payment of claims and suspending insurance services.
Mrs. Classens, who is a Kingdom Blue customer, appeared on the show and recounted her struggles to receive payment from the company.
These allegations sparked public outrage, with many people taking to social media to voice their anger and concern about the Funeral Service Provider.
The allegations of fraud and mistreatment of customers on the Devi Show have cast a dark shadow over Kingdom Blue Funerals’ reputation, tarnishing its image in the eyes of the public.
The company was inundated with criticism and anger, with many people expressing distrust and frustration towards Kingdom Blue. The allegations raised concerns about the funeral industry as a whole and have since fueled public suspicion about the reliability and integrity of funeral service providers.
However, Kingdom Blue Funerals has come back like a phoenix rising from the ashes, swinging and setting the record straight with a thorough rebuttal of the accusations.
On September 15, the Devi Show raised serious accusations and casting several serious allegations against Kingdom Blue Funerals, including unpaid claims to customers, suspension of insurance services, and bankruptcy of the funeral provider.
The show sparked controversy and backlash, leading Kingdom Blue Funerals to respond with a comprehensive media statement.
In their response, Kingdom Blue Funerals delved into each allegation in detail, setting the record straight and providing proof where needed.
The Funeral service provider also clarified their membership status with the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) and the South African Funeral Practitioners’ Association (SAFPA), both of which the company affirmed were in good standing.
Demonstrating its commitment to transparency and accountability, Kingdom Blue Funerals went to great lengths to clear its name and restore its reputation in the face of these allegations.
As part of their rebuttal, they provided proof of payment for claims made by customers and also revealed the total amount paid out in 50% cashback rewards between 2021 and 2024.
The company expressed its disappointment in The Devi Show’s reporting, stating that the allegations were both misleading and harmful to their reputation.
Kingdom Blue Funerals called for the Devi Show to retract and correct the information presented, in order to avoid further confusion and damage.
In their media statement, Kingdom Blue Funerals’ CEO Brilliant Ncube declared,
“We are not bankrupt, and we can meet all our financial obligations as and when they are due. The allegations made on the Devi Show are false and damaging to our reputation.”
“We, as Kingdom Blue Funerals, wish to make this statement to the Media and the members of the public, to clarify and correct the allegations and inaccuracies that arose from the Devi Show E-TV episode that was aired on the 15th of September 2024 at 18:30. This statement, will not only dispel the allegations and correct inaccuracies referred to the above show, but will also settle all the concerns that were raised by our clients and the members of the public”.
Responding to the alleged unpaid ID claims in the case of Mrs Ingrid Classens and Mrs Tracelee Chiyamgwa who were cast on the Devi Show, Ncube said,
“It is neither the culture nor the practice or policy of King Blue Funerals to publish and discuss clients’ private details. As a company and in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act, we do not publish clients’ personal details. However, in the case of Mrs Classens and Mrs Chiyamgwa, we have no option, but to create an exception to the rule, as a way of responding to allegations made on a national TV programme. Mrs Classens and Mrs Chiyamgwa, waived their right to privacy when they participated on the Devi show and disclosed their private information.”
“Mrs Classens received a payout of R15 000.00 on the 22nd of August 2024 as evidenced by the proof of payment found on the link attached above. This fact, even though it was in the possession of the Devi Show, was conveniently, intentionally and negligently misrepresented as they reported that we paid Mrs Classens only R10 000.00 which is not true. This misrepresentation as described had the effect of misleading the public and also damaging the good name and reputation of Kingdom Blue Funerals.
According to Ncube, the Devi Show incorrectly identified Mrs Chiyamgwa as a client of Kingdom Blue Funerals, when in fact, she was only a beneficiary of a policy owned by Mr. Themba Nyathi. The policy’s inception date of January 2020 means it will not be eligible for the 50% cashback until 2025, and even then, it will undergo claims assessment.
This information, according to Kingdom Blue Funerals, was in the possession of the Devi Show, but was either overlooked or intentionally left out of their report.
Clarifying on the Funeral provider’s Membership and Associations, Ncube said,
“We noted with concern in the Devi Show that allegations were made about suspension of insurance services membership by the Regulatory Body. We would like to categorically state that our FSP license, with FSP number 50888, is active and we are in good standing with the FSCA.”
“We wish to confirm and place on record that, Kingdom Blue Funerals is not suspended by any Association or Regulatory Authority. All our memberships are in good standing.”
Ncube asserted that Kingdom Blue Funerals is a member in good standing with SAFPA, a fact that the Devi Show misrepresented despite being provided with proof of membership.
“Devi misrepresented that we are not members of this association, despite our employees telling her that we are members of this association, she disagreed and vehemently refused to believe them. She positively presented in her show that we are not telling the truth despite the evidence of our association with SAFPA being sent to her by our team, “said Ncube.
The show also incorrectly claimed that the company was bankrupt, a statement that Kingdom Blue Funerals vehemently denies.
The company also refutes allegations of backlogs in paying funeral claims, stating that all approved claims have been paid.
Kingdom Blue Funerals also emphasizes there is a qualification criteria for the 50% cashback rewards, which it has successfully been paid out over the past three years.
“We are happy and proud to announce that, as a company, we have managed pay all the funeral claims that were submitted and approved. Any allegations made on the Devi Show about a backlog of funeral claims is untrue.”
“We wish to announce that for the period of 2021 to 2024, we have achieved a payment of a total of Three Million Four Hundred and Twenty-Three Thousand, Seven Hundred and Ten Rands (R3 423 710.).”
“It is of grave concern how the performance, financial position and payment of claims was depicted on the Devi show. We hold the strong view that the content of the show either intentionally or negligently misinformed the public, thereby causing injury to our good name and reputation.
“We will continue to give very good royal service to our clients. As a result of this assault on our good name, we have thus, referred the matter to our attorneys to advise on the appropriate steps we should take to protect the good name, personality, leadership, and legal standing of the company, and continue to service our clients. We take pride in the royal service that we provide to our clients.”
Zim GBC News ©2024