Cheated

<p>I've signed a 3 year lease with bentel group for a store at Cosmo mall, 2 and a half years ago. I've made a loss every single month besides the 2 Decembers. After the first 18 months, I've repeatedly asked bentel group for assistance with either reducing my space or rent, allowing me to sell a different line of products, or releasing me from my lease. I haven't been given any option besides "pay your rent and finish your lease". I couldn't afford my rent so had a balance of over R200k. They then agreed to release me if I paid this. I took money from friends and family to make up this amount and paid them. Now they want my deposit of R72000 for their losses. In reply to that I said in that case I won't leave the mall I'll stay until my lease ends and asked if I could sell other products again. I was told I agreed to leave (I did on condition that there was no penalty) so I can't stay in the store but I won't get my deposit either. I'm being bul**** by these people for 2 years now. I don't know what else to do.</p>