Gym not pulling its weight
Col Mohamed Khalid Soobrathi, who is stationed in Umlazi and resides in Queensburgh, claimed that the local Action Plus Gym, situated at Chatsworth Main, which is owned by businessman, Logan Naidoo, has been turned into an ‘unhygienic and dilapidated’ gym.
A senior SAPS colonel has added his voice and disgust to the growing number of disgruntled gym users over the alleged dilapidated and malfunctioning facilities and equipment at a local gym in Chatsworth.
Col Mohamed Khalid Soobrathi, who is stationed in Umlazi and resides in Queensburgh, claimed that the local Action Plus Gym, situated at Chatsworth Main, which is owned by businessman, Logan Naidoo, has been turned into an ‘unhygienic and dilapidated’ gym.
Col Soobrathi, who has been a member of the gym for many years, recently cancelled his membership contract. He stated that for quite some time, the more-than-a-decade-old gym has been allegedly plagued by the malfunctioning of gym facilities, equipment and mismanagement.
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This has affected the training patterns and exercising sessions. He further claimed that the gym is non-compliant in many aspects.
Some of the allegations he levelled and listed to the Rising Sun include:
*The geysers are not functioning, resulting in no hot water.
*The air-conditioners are deliberately switched off or are not functioning. They claim it is centrally operated and therefore, have no control of it.
*Two shower doors are broken. It is absolutely uncomfortable for gym users to shower as their privacy is invaded.
*Shower levers are not fitted on properly and as a result, it is hard to operate when showering.
*The swimming pool was supposed to be a heated pool but it is also not operational.The pump is apparently broken.
*Most of the lockers are broken.
*The premises has a bad stench.
Soobrathi shared that the gym needed an urgent face-lift.
“The community of Chatsworth is getting short-changed. If it is not addressed in time, many gym users will decide to leave,” he warned.
In recent months, the Rising Sun has also fielded dozens of calls from irate gym users, who have also stated that the facility is falling apart. They claimed that they have written to the manager and have spoken to him personally on numerous occasions, but to date, he has apparently turned a ‘blind eye’.
Responding to the damning allegations, Action Plus Gym’s general manager, Abdul Latiff Jogie, who took over the gym in June, confirmed that he is aware of the many complaints raised by Col Soobrathi. He stated that the matter is receiving its highest attention.
Jogie said, “I have written to Mr Soobrathi and assured him that most of the challenges he faced at the gym were addressed and fixed. Only two complaints are still receiving attention. The first are the aircons, which are still not working but in place. We have bought 16 fans for the gym users. This is a temporary measure until the pump, which was blown up by load-shedding, is fixed. The second issue is the swimming pool, which needs to be repaired.”
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In an email sent to Col Soobrathi by Jogie, it read, “The air-conditioners, like all machines, break down and have to be fixed. Currently, the air-conditioning is working. We had a 5000l boiler, which gave us endless problems. We have now removed the tank and are in the process of installing 8200l geysers. This will be connected in parallel which will allow for 1600l of water at any given time. The shower door lower attachments are faulty and parts are not available. If a curtain is put up for the time-being, would that make you happy? All soap dispensers have been replaced and are working perfectly. All the machines that you pointed out to me have been repaired. The electrician has checked all fittings to the sauna and all lights are working. I am making a humble appeal to you to reconsider cancellation. Give me an opportunity as the new manager to get things right with the sincere help of the senior management.”
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