Misappropriation of deposit and Impropriety

COMPLETE MAINTENANCE SERVICES –GARTH NORTJE 20th September 2023 On 30th June 2023 I contacted Complete Maintenance Services (CMS) a company that does home maintenance. At that time also a listed regional installer for Damp Vent, a system used to combat rising damp on walls. On the 1st July 2023 the owner of the business arrived at my residence to carry out an inspection and advise on the best remedy for the damp. We agreed there and then that he could do the job and sent through an Invoice where I was asked for a deposit of R10 650. This was duly paid on the same day and I was informed that this would be used to purchase the 90 or so Damp Vent plugs that would be used. I then informed the owner of CMS that I had other plumbing and drainage damage and issues from the 2022 and 2023 floods and that I would need to get these attended to first. On completion of this I would let him know when he could begin. On the 25th August 2023 I contacted CMS and asked when he would be in a position to start and also for a quote on an outside toilet conversion. On 29th August 2023 the owner arrived at my residence and never mentioned a word that my deposit had been spent on another customer’s job– and he knew then that this was the case. It was around about this time that I contacted the owner of Damp Vent who informed me that sometime in July, CMS had been removed from their list of suggested installers. This explains why Norte was attempting to get supply of the Damp Vent plugs from Takealot but was unable to pay for them. I contacted him again on 4th September 2023 and asked why the quote had not come through and also when he could begin the job. At 12h23 on 5th September 20023 I received a WhatsApp message from the owner advising that he had no money to purchase the damp vent plugs as he had utilised/spent my deposit of R10 650 on another job. He said he was extremely embarrassed, felt very guilty and that he would do what he could to reimburse the deposit or do the job. I made contacted with the owner of Damp Vent who informed me that sometime in July, CMS had been removed from their list of suggested installers. This explains why Norte was attempting to get supply of the Damp Vent plugs from Takealot but was unable to pay for them. 12th September 2023 and have heard nothing so I contacted him. He confirms that he has job he is doing and will give me R5K at the end of the week (17th September 2023) and the balance 14 days thereafter. 20th September 2023 today – I messaged the owner of CMS advising that he needs to contact mefor the close of business today, which he read but did not respond to and I tried calling but the call goes to Voice mail. It is obvious that he is avoiding me. 21st September 2023 and no response. Chris Digges - ***