A pensioner from Bellville says he is gatvol of chasing after a contractor, to whom he paid thousands of rands for a gate and fence, but the man never delivered.
Kishor Harri, 64, has opened a case of fraud and launched his own investigation into the man who he says now “avoids him like the plague”.
Harri says he was forced to use his children’s education savings to pay a new builder R30 000 to complete the work.
The upset oupa says he paid the contractor, Kurt Pieterse, a total of R21 000.
Harri says he met Kurt last year when he came around in Wellington Road, Oakdale, delivering pamphlets to promote his business.
Photo: SUPPLIED
Names for the business vary from VKD Gates & Fencing to KD Gates, Kaydee Gates and Automation and Budget Gates.
Harri says on 26 October he accepted a quotation.
“We discussed that he had to remake the gates, do steelwork and galvanise them,” the grandfather explains.
“He would have to cement the driveway and increase the height of the vibracrete walls.
“He said he would need a deposit of R21 000. The total for the job was R31 250.
“I made the R21 000 payment and the work started at my home the next day.”
But he says the work quickly ground to a halt.
“When I spoke to him again eight days later, he told me he needed extra cash and I refused,” says Harri.
“I had enough. I went to the police station and opened a case.
“I used our children’s school fees savings to pay him the R21 000 and had to fork out R30 000 to have another company do the job.”
The Daily Voice managed to make contact with Kurt, who claims Harri is lying.
“I went to Mr. Harri, he paid me a deposit of R14 000 and the work started,” Kurt says.
“The process had been going well. We were also busy with the gates off site.
“On the evening of the eighth day, my guys worked late and they had to travel home to Capricorn.
“One of my main guys, the plasterer, was stabbed and I spoke to Mr. Harri, telling him we would need to halt work for two to three weeks. He agreed with this.
“Two weeks later, I got a letter to say he was taking me to the Small Claims Court, but after we spoke, it was sorted.
“He then paid me a further R7 200. But then he went to the police and I heard from the police that he was laying a charge.
“I sought legal counsel and will be suing him for breach of contract. If Mr Harri had a problem with my work, why did he pay me the R7 200?”
But Harri says: “This man needs to be exposed and I want my money back.”