Unprofessional, *********, dishonest and unconscionable conduct

We are foreigners who are on holiday in South Africa and are travelling through the country. During the past 2 months we stayed at 4 different accommodation establishments which we booked through Lekkeslaap. On all occasions we had most enjoyable stays and were always charged the exact quoted price. We were NEVER charged extra for administration fees nor cleaning fees nor for DSTV nor for a key deposit nor for a security or breakage deposit.

Lekkeslaap advertises that their bookings have no hidden costs.

On 31 December 2022, I saw an advert on Lekkeslaap that Jakaranda Woonstel 8, Uvongo (referred to as Jakaranda) was available for rent at 40% discount. I immediately made an enquiry to rent Jakaranda for the period 14 to 20 January 2023 (6 nights). Shortly afterwards, I received a quote from Antonie of Jakaranda (via Lekkeslaap) for R3,290.40 as well as confirmation that the unit was available for the desired period. Jakaranda / Lekkeslaap requested we paid a deposit of R743.21.

I immediately paid the required deposit of R743.21 as follows: R443.21 with my credit card and R300 using a Lekkeslaap gift voucher. On 1 January 2023, Lekkeslaap confirmed the reservation and receipt of the deposit of R743.21, with booking reference LS-4CKB8B. I also received a booking confirmation from Antonie of Jakaranda.

Later on 1 January 2023, I received an email from Antonie of Jakaranda with an invoice no LS-4CKB8B attached to the email. To my great surprise the invoice showed the following:

- Deduction for deposit paid R443.21 (ignoring R300 Lekkeslaap gift voucher) - Administration fee R300 - Key deposit charge R500 - DSTV charge R180 (with note to be deducted from the key deposit) - Laundry charges to be determined and to be deducted from key deposit - Breakages charges to be determined and to be deducted from key deposit - Balance to be paid by me before check-in R4.090.40 - Name and bank account details of a private individual (unknown and apparently unrelated to transaction) into whose bank account to pay above balance (notwithstanding that we pay outstanding amounts to Lekkeslaap on its website with a credit card).

On 2 January 2023, I emailed Antonie of Jakaranda and Lekkeslaap and queried the above mentioned anomalies on the invoice.

Later on 2 January 2023, Antonie of Jakaranda unilaterally and summarily advised Lekkeslaap to cancel my booking and to refund my deposit.

We committed to travel to Uvongu after our booking with Jakaranda was confirmed. We therefore had to find other accommodation at an additional cost of R1,530.

We find the conduct described above of Antonie and Jakaranda to be unprofessional, *********, dishonest and unconscionable.