Takealot Refund Rejected

Good Day

My husband purchased a "**** scoop" from Takealot on the 29th of November 2021, the item was not on special or any type of clearance sale it was just a normal purchase. When he wanted to use the item the item was broken - he logged a return for the unused item in its original state on the 9th of December 2021. On the 13th of December 2021 his return was "concluded", he enquired via email to find out when his funds will be reversed to which he was told that due to him returning the item 7 days later he will not be receiving his money back. So tell me how is this fair ? He paid for an item which was broken and now they are refusing him his money back - this is DISGUSTING customer service and trust me we will not be using nor endorsing the TakeAlot brand EVER AGAIN. Beware because it seems Takealot is also part of the *******ion in South Africa.