Rawson Developments a **** or no ****?

I would like to inform the public about a 'scheme' published heavily on social media. This is in reference to a development they are advertising and selling on social media named Maritime Place supposedly in Parden Eiland. I say supposedly because the development will not be complete until 2026. This is the crux of my complaint. Much fanfare took place on the opening of the bids for apartments in the said complex which opened on the 15th of November. Potential buyer were instructed to choose from a range of apartments online by placing a deposit of R5000 to secure the unit. At this point in time there was no mention that the deposit was 'non-refundable' or the eventual completion date of the development. I only happened to read about the final completion date in an article in the business press and not directly from the source. I realise I should have checked this but made assumptions, yes I know what assumptions are all about, the development would be completed in a year. The sales person immediately sent me correspondence requesting I sign a sales document, requesting a 10% further deposit of the current value of a property not yet built which they would hold. I then saw warning signs and knowing the completion date realised this is their way of funding the development and the potential investors can do nothing until the development is complete. This is insane and surely not good practice. Please can you advise if I'm barking up the wrong tree and this is standard practise for developers. They have refuted my claim for a refund stating I knew all along. Which is utter nonsense because had I seen the non-refundable I would have been concerned. Now it seems I will not receive my money, which the sales agent stated they were reviewing on a 'case by case' status. Instead stating I read all the correspondence and therefore knew all along.