Refuses to refund for last 18 months after country closed down

Due to Covid, sadly my wedding had to be canceled when South Africa closed our borders. My friends and family from overseas had already booked their flights and their safaris among other things. None of them had trouble getting refunds of course as it was no fault of themselves, as they were unable to enter the country. Sanbona was great, Boschendal amazing, the only place that did not provide ANY REFUND, Aquila Game Reserve. My close friend paid a LOT of money to book her family on a safari. She communicated with Aquila (Marianne specifically and Judy before her) who promised to provide the refund in the following months after this took place, but just asked for more time. 19 MONTHS later, after countless calls by me and emails that went unanswered for months before it, and still NOTHING. This is unacceptable. They have in essence ****** my friends money. If Aquila is not in bankruptcy (which I asked them to be upfront about instead of just continuously promising a refund that doesn't happen) then they should ashamed to consider themselves a hospitality business. As I explained to them, I had previously recommended their place to overseas guests, now I would not touch them with a 10 foot pole. This is shameful behaviour in a time when besides for them, I have only been impressed with the handling of hospitality businesses in South Africa and their professional and prompt refunds and full understanding and customer care.