Problems faced doing business with Swanepoel Van Zyl Attorneys

I would like to share my experience with Swanepoel Van Zyl Attorneys. Swanepoel Van Zyl Attorneys were transfer lawyers for a flat, me and family purchased on cash in Pretoria, and Globe Investments was the seller and responsible for payment of transfer fees as per agreement.

The process of buying the flat started around October 2021. When I saw a delay in the registration I asked the attorney in charge (X) to send me compliance certificates when she had received them. Last year no feedback on this was received.

The progress report the attorney (X) sent in January 2022, before property registration at deeds office, indicated that the attorneys had received the Electrical Compliance Certificate on the 14th of January 2022. We rejoiced on the matter and on 26 January 2022 I requested for a copy of the certificate and she did not respond.

After registration in February 2022, no compliance certificates were sent to us. It was unexpected. Immediately this attorney (X) left the company after registration. As a family we managed to find out who supplies water to the flat but on who supplies electricity we could not find. The seller did not disclose the details until today.

I requested Swanepoel van Zyl again to assist with the compliance certificates, their responses 5 months after registration:- "We will draw the file and forward you the same". We are still looking for the file the same has been archived", "Unfortunately we cannot find the file. X is no longer working at our offices. We have requested the same from the Seller but have not received same". Until today, I haven't received the Electricity Compliance and Plumbing Certificates for the Property from these attorneys.

In July 2022, I asked my lawyers who were also shocked with the matter but after 7days they had developed a cold shoulder on it. At the moment, I do not have legal power, they have. I do not know how much it will cost me to get my compliance certificates but I will keep asking for them.

Among all their clients, is it the black child's file only missing? Does Swanepoel van Zyl Attorneys have no power to request for another copy of electricity compliance certificate from the service provider or refer me to them since the file is missing? Is it a coincidence that there is lack of compliance for electricity connection at the flat and my file is missing? Does the law society of South Africa accept this standard and treatment of clients by lawyers?

NB: of all the properties I have in South Africa, this is the only property registered in my and family's names where the Transfer lawyers cannot produce compliance certificates.