Mayor, wife ‘renege’ on son’s debt

A DURBAN businessman has gone after the properties of Msunduzi mayor Themba Njilo and his wife Thembekile, to recoup money for their son’s debt.

Vischal Salik has sued the Njilos because they failed to pay a debt incurred through the business of their son, Phumlani, for which they had taken liability.

Salik, the owner of Tekwini Tombstone, first took legal action against Induduzo Life, Phumlani’s company, in 2017. Salik apparently supplied Phumlani with 67 tombstones which allegedly have not been paid for.

However, in an attempt to rescue their son’s business, the Njilos apparently accepted liability and signed an acknowledgement of debt in June, and made a commitment to pay monthly instalments, interest and legal costs.

They allegedly also put up two of their properties as a guarantee in case there was a breach of agreement, but seemed to have defaulted on the payments.

The Pietermaritzburg High Court ordered them to pay R457 198.21, and 10.25% interest of the costs from August.

Due to non-payment, Salik, who was represented by attorney Rita Mizrachi, said he was now going after their assets to recover the debt.

The Njilos have disputed the costs they had been ordered to pay.