Settlement in Dispatch building dispute

A SETTLEMENT has been reached in a dispute over commission fees of more than R300 000 from the lease of part of the Daily Dispatch building.

The case in the East London High Court was instituted by Investpro Commercial against John Kayula, Vuyokazi Kayula and Eugene Birch, in their capacities as trustees of the Kayula Trust.

The parties this week agreed that the trust ought to pay Investpro R275 000, interest dating back to September 1 2013 and the costs of the case.

The agreement was made without admission of liability by the trust. The trust bought the building for R10-million from Times Media, formerly Avusa.

In court papers, Investpro said the company had been given an oral mandate and presented the trust with its commission structure, and claimed this was not disputed by the trust. Investpro said it introduced the trust to the provincial department of roads and public works, which leased the premises. Investpro claimed R277 673.75 plus VAT.

In their plea, the defendants denied any obligations towards Investpro. The trust admitted to receiving a statement from Investpro, but had refused to pay because, according to them, they had no obligation to pay the amount claimed.

This week Charlotte Chagadana of the department of roads and public works testified before Judge Belinda Hartle and said Investpro arranged for the viewing of the Daily Dispatch building in Caxton Street.

Advocate Gavin Dugmore appeared for Investpro and Advocate Stuart Clark appeared for the defendants. —