Beware of this ******

Would you please advise and warn your members of associating with a classic ****** by the name of Sarel Grobler, operating a company called “Versikleen CC”, distributing cleaning and septic tank products from the Strand.

In March 2017 this smooth talking character was supplying consumerable products to our nursery and coffee shop. He approached me with an offer of buying shares into what he made out to be a very lucrative business with future potential clients with the Shoprite and Spar group. Monies (R5000 per month) were to be paid over a period of 6 months with all funds refundable within 7 days of me deciding to cancel the deal. Due to various dubious problems experienced by this character, my capital investment quickly grew to R12 000 at which stage I realized that he actually had no cash flow or stock and was operating his business on a hand to mouth basis and informed him that I was canceling the arrangement and requested the refund as promised. All the abovementioned was confirmed in writing.

Needless to say he had numerous excuses and as the refund of R12000 was not forthcoming, I approached my Attorneys who issued a letter of demand which was ignored. My Attorneys also established that this character was previously involved with a franchise called “A1 Chick and Veg” and had a number of High Court convictions against him with the same modes operandi.

In February 2018, I approached a debit collecting company who negotiated a simple settlement agreement whereby he would supply product to the value of R800 and R200 by the 15th of each month and thereby pay off the debt. As I anticipated, he adhered to the agreement for the first 3 months (be it after the deadline) but has not met his monthly commitment since April 2018. Further efforts to contact him or resolve the impasse have proved fruitless.

As the said signed settlement agreement (which really made it easy for him to settle the debt) has been ignored I have now reverted to the small claims court for finality in settling this matter.