HOLIDAY JEER
How the R699 Grinch stole Christmas
AT least one of the motorists caught up in the “Drive-a-newcar-for-R699” scam, Corma Nel, spent an anxious Christmas thanks to a R1-million defamation suit still hanging over her head.
The plaintiff, Pretoria businessman Albert Venter, who masterminded the R699 scheme that at least one large bank called a pyramid scheme, is forging ahead with legal action over remarks and pictures Nel posted on Facebook in the aftermath of the collapse of Venter’s scheme last year.
He said in court papers that Nel’s comments and invitation to other R699 clients to request pictures of his jet from her were defamatory. They created the impression that he “improperly benefited” from the scheme and was of “low moral fibre”.
He allegedly withdrew a similar claim against another motorist, Liezl Barclay, who is based in Sasolburg and, like Nel, was an administrator of the Facebook support group for affected motorists. The page has more than 6 000 members.
When asked for comment, Venter replied by sms: “No comment . . . just make sure your facts are 300% right.”
Barclay could not be reached by cellphone.
Nel’s attorney, Johan Gouws, said he believes that the pursuit of Nel is personal because her husband is a law-enforcement official. He confirmed that the defendant’s plea was filed “months ago”, but the parties were in a process of requesting documents from each other before a pretrial date could be set.
Gouws requested a copy of the contract between Nel and Satinsky, which he said was never signed, but the company has not responded. A court date could be secured next year.
He said Nel could not afford a lengthy court battle. “My client is really quite stressed out.”
Nel said she had already paid more than R20 000 in legal fees to defend herself.
The scheme gave motorists a chance to buy cars with low monthly instalments, provided the cars were driven a certain distance with the company ad- vertising displayed. Each month they had to send photos of the car and records of their mileage to Satinsky.
Satinsky affiliate Blue Lakes Trading & Promotions then paid monthly subsidies to the motorists, which reduced the over- all cost of the vehicles. Some of the motorists who bought cars through this scheme had not previously qualified for finance from the banks. After the collapse, motorists claimed Satinsky falsified details including income on applications sent to banks, which allegedly received commission for accepting the applications. The banks and Satinsky have denied wrongdoing. The National Credit Regulator investigation is ongoing.
Nel was paying R799 monthly for a Renault Logan she bought
No comment . . . just make sure your facts are 300% right
through Satinsky. Following the implosion of the scheme, the payment ballooned to R2 300.
“I feel it’s not right,” she said. “You can’t advertise something like this and not keep up to the promise. He is living the nice life, and there are people who bought these cars and don’t have food on the table.”
The scheme was launched in 2006, and had support from Standard Bank, Absa and Ned- bank’s Motor Finance Corporation, but not FNB. Absa pulled out after motorists began complaining in 2013 and the scheme crumbled.
The banks are accused of lending recklessly.