'I give the assurance before God that the (Tumelong) Mission is not closing, that no one has been dismissed and that there is no threat to any of those we assist."

This was Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Pretoria Dr Joe Seoka's categorical assurance at the weekend when he rubbished reports that the Tumelong Mission's hospice and children's haven in Winterveld were no longer in operation.

But an on-site visit on Tuesday by the Pretoria News revealed the contrary - the two institutions have indeed been closed and abandoned.

Seoka, Tumelong Mission's governing body chairperson, recently insisted both the hospice and haven were still open.

But according to documents in the Pretoria News' possession, all 70 employees have been retrenched.

Part of the retrenchment letter written to each employee reads: "Tumelong Mission relies on donation and grants, especially from the government, Lotto and major companies, to carry out its work.