The Bonitas Tender Dispute has placed fresh scrutiny on major operational changes at South Africa’s second-largest open medical scheme.
The legal matter between Medscheme and Bonitas Medical Scheme was expected to be heard this week. It has now been postponed again.
At the centre of the case are four tenders. These shifted key Bonitas functions away from Medscheme and other service arrangements. The tenders covered BonCap administration, marketing and distribution, full scheme administration, and managed care.
The BonCap administration contract was awarded to Private Health Administrators. The marketing and distribution mandate went to Agile Alternative Business Solutions. Full scheme administration moved to Momentum Health Solutions. Managed-care responsibilities were also awarded to PHA.
Medscheme argues in court papers that these tenders were not separate decisions. It claims they formed part of a broader continuum. It also challenges the Bonitas board’s independence during procurement processes.
Bonitas rejects the allegations. It maintains that its governance processes were sound.
Bonitas Tender Dispute Raises Trustee Conflict Claims
A key part of Medscheme’s replying affidavit focuses on Bonitas trustee Pierre Ribbens. He has served on the board since July 2019. He was re-elected for another term from July 2024.
Medscheme alleges that Ribbens served on the board during all four procurement processes. It claims he is a director of Ribbens Office Solutions. The affidavit also links that company to Marara Pharmacy.
Marara Pharmacy is described as a subsidiary of the Marara Group. The Marara Group is the majority shareholder of PHA. PHA won the BonCap administration contract and later the managed-care contract.
Medscheme cites a Marara Pharmacy bank statement from November to December 2022. It alleges that the statement shows a payment of R53,429.25 to Ribbens Office Solutions.
The affidavit also refers to email correspondence from September 2023. It claims Ribbens, acting as marketing director of Ribbens Office Solutions, quoted and invoiced Marara Pharmacy for office alterations.
Agile Tender Comes Under Further Scrutiny
The affidavit also raises questions about Agile Alternative Business Solutions. Agile was awarded the marketing and distribution contract in 2024.
Medscheme claims documents from another whistleblower show Ribbens Office Solutions was a supplier to Agile. It says Desere Ribbens of Ribbens Office National emailed the company’s BEE certificate to Tobie du Preez on 15 March 2024.
The affidavit further claims that, on 28 March 2024, Marara Group’s BEE consultant listed Ribbens Office National as one of Agile’s BEE suppliers. The alleged annual spend was R3m.
Medscheme argues that this created a conflict of interest during the tender processes. Bonitas denies the claims.
Members Face Migration Problems
While the court process continues, Bonitas has completed its migration from Medscheme to Momentum Health Solutions and PHA. The transition took effect on 1 June.
Bonitas had assured members that the move would be seamless. However, its social media pages have since shown complaints about authorisations, chronic medication, benefit confirmations and support services.
Bonitas has acknowledged about 10,000 outstanding matters linked to the transition. It says most were historical issues inherited from the previous administrator. It also says most have been resolved.
Momentum Health Solutions has referred questions back to Bonitas.
CMS Inquiry Remains Ongoing
The Council for Medical Schemes has confirmed that its Section 44 inquiry into governance concerns at Bonitas remains underway. The inquiry was announced on 3 November 2025. It began only in February.
The courts will decide whether the procurement processes were lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair.
For Bonitas members, however, the operational impact is already clear. The Bonitas Tender Dispute is no longer only a governance matter. It is also a test of service continuity, accountability and trust in medical scheme administration.
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