A Cape Flats social media influencer has come under fire.
Welcome Estate’s Cody Watkins, aka Hard Trance Taxi Driver, has been accused of scamming a small business owner from Grassy Park out of thousands of rands.
Mom of three, Fatima Davids, 30, runs ATFT Services, a print and embroidery company from her home where she employs three people, including her husband.
Fatima says she has been in business for four years and has provided branded merchandise for entertainers such as Shakir Chuqy Hansen, Brasse in the Wood and Life withIemie .
She says in May, Cody, 33, approached her with an order for caps and T-shirts.
ORDER: Fatima Davids. Picture: Supplied
“He asked for over 50 T-shirts in adults and kids sizes and caps, valued at R8 490.
“He collected the first batch in May and sold a lot, but then his taxi was impounded and he said he used my money to get back his taxi.
“He said he just works to pay off his taxi, but, in fact, he is just the driver.”
The Daily Voice spoke to the taxi owner, Quaniet Booley, who confirmed he fired Cody in June after he was arrested for reckless and negligent driving and being in possession of drugs.
Fatima says Cody keeps coming up with excuses not to pay her, including his relatives dying.
“He made me feel so bad about my own money, he kept telling me he had things to pay and that he can’t even buy his daughter a birthday gift because he doesn’t have money.”
The fed-up business woman approached the Small Claims Court, but was told “they can’t do debt collecting on my behalf”.
At her wits’ end, she decided to take her plight to Facebook on Wednesday.
UNDER FIRE: Cody Watkins with one the branded T-shirts
“I exposed him and told people about him owing me money. He responded with a private message saying I should stop, he will make a payment. He paid R800 on Friday via EFT.”
Cody admits he’s been dodging Fatima, but after being made gat of on Facebook, he decided to pay off his skuld.
“I know what I did was wrong, but I will give her money to her. I will pay her back,” he says.
Police spokesperson, Siyabulela Malo, confirms Cody was pulled over in Woodstock on 5 June at 5.50pm after driving against the traffic in the wrong lane.
“Upon searching his vehicle, police found a glass pipe with white residue inside, a possible drug, wrapped in white toilet paper.”
Cody is expected back at the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on 3 October.