GREENWOOD Park SAPS spokesperson, Captain Jerome Slater has urged the public not to pay for services upfront without receiving them.
This comes after a handyman was recently arrested in connection with a 2019 theft case.
“It is alleged that the complainant, a Kenville resident, required a carpenter to install cupboards at his home. He sought the expertise of the accused who asked for R5000 to make and install the cupboards. The complainant was then concerned after the suspect did not return to his home to complete the job after a few weeks. He tried to get hold of him but was unsuccessful. When he eventually managed to get hold of the installer, he promised to fit the cupboards in a specific time period but failed to do so.
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“He then made inquiries about the accused and learnt via Facebook that the same suspect had allegedly scammed other people by offering his services as a carpenter. A case of theft was opened at Greenwood Park SAPS and the accused was recently arrested after arriving at another property in the area to render his services,” Slater said.
The accused appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court but the matter has now been remanded until October.
“We urge people not to pay for services without receiving them and to make inquiries about the reliability of the person before committing,” he said.
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