A building materials supplier has been accused of conning a man out of R33 000 after he failed to deliver the windows and doors he ordered.
John Braaf from Chatsworth, just outside Malmesbury, says he has lost thousands after he purchased aluminium windows and doors from Graham Abrahams from Kraaifontein, who was recommended by a trusted friend.
John, 37, says it’s been six months since he placed the order and he’s still waiting.
“A friend of mine recommended this guy because they know each other well and it was during the lockdown and manufacturing guys were scarce. I gave him a deposit of R19 000,” he says.
John says he was busy renovating his sister’s house, and she paid for the materials that were supposed to arrive in March.
“Graham was supposed to manufacture for me two sliding doors, one bedroom window, three bathroom windows, a kitchen window, a pivot door and three front-facing windows,” he says.
John says all he has to show for his money is three “badly made” bathroom windows.
“Since he seemed like he was delivering, I paid the balance, which in total was R33 000, but I have nothing to show for it other than the badly made windows.
“I had to pay R28 000 to another company for the same items since he was not delivering and the job had to be done.”
In voice notes Graham sent to John, he promises to deliver the windows and doors “the next day”.
He also said he was “held up, but had not forgotten John”.
John says this has been going on for months and he just wants his money back.
“He always says he will deliver tomorrow, every day when I call him. He is a conman and I want to warn other people too.”
When the Daily Voice spoke to Graham this week, he said he was driving and couldn’t talk.
He then sent three voice notes, promising to give his lawyer’s number, but failed to do so.
In the third voice note, he said: “My lawyer’s going to phone you, he’s going to talk to you tomorrow, don’t talk with me, talk with my lawyer.”
The lawyer did not contact the Daily Voice.