Businessman embarks on silent protest against bank

A DURBAN businessman has taken to parking his branded vehicles outside the Davenport branch of Nedbank which he describes as a ‘silent protest’ against the financial institution.

Disgruntled Ross Moodley, speaking to Berea Mail last week outside the branch in Brand Road, said he took up this campaign after Nedbank liquidated his business in 2008.

“I started fighting with Nedbank to set the record straight but as I have gotten nowhere with this, I have decided to take to the streets with my branded cars, to take the message to other clients who might also find themselves in my position,” he said.

Moodley said he gave his ex-wife his company, Daros Logistics, and its trucks, in a divorce settlement, and approached the banks to start a new company.

“My client base wanted to deal with me, so they moved with me to my new company. Nedbank helped me buy 20 of my 53 new trucks and other banks helped with five each. It took 24 months to achieve a better business than I had before. We fell behind on repayments and the company made a court application to be placed under business rescue with Nedbank. The bank then pumped money into the business. I was very surprised when the company was placed in liquidation, without notice from Nedbank. We were then locked out of our business,” he said.

Moodley said an application was made in the high court to set aside the unlawful liquidation and was granted, and then later reversed. He said in the process he had lost 69 working days which resulted in his client base suffering and eventually led to the company being liquidated.

“I intend on parking my vehicles outside Nedbank branches so people take notice. I want a response from Nedbank. They can tie me up in court for 20 years, but they can’t do that while I’m on the streets,” he said.

In response to questions from Berea Mail regarding the matter, Esme Arendse, Divisional Executive at Nedbank Group Communications, said: “Mr Moodley was involved with a close corporation that was subject to liquidation in 2008. Nedbank can confirm that due process was followed, in keeping with the bank’s client centred approach. Nedbank has engaged Mr Moodley on this issue over the years and has advised him to follow the judicial process and approach the court for any further guidance,” she said.

Arendse said while the bank respected Mr Moodley’s right to express his views concerning Nedbank, it viewed his actions to defame Nedbank in a serious light and would exercise the bank’s right to protect its brand.