Numerous residents who were looking to add a touch of aluminium framework to their properties have cried foul after a local supplier conned them out of their money.
The victims, who shared their dodgy experiences, identified the company as AF-FSL Glass Distributors, operating at 67 Hamberg Road in Roodepoort.
All the victims we spoke to said they were defrauded by this company in 2018.
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The first victim, Aubrey Matsila, from Allen’s Nek, said he opened a case against the business after its workers failed on numerous occasions to install the aluminium windows he had purchased. “We were planning to install aluminium windows. The company sent through its employee who did measurements, and subsequently provided a quote for the service. The company also advised us that if we made a full advance payment, they would give us a discount,” Matsila explained.
He went on to say that he requested a revised quote and after receiving it, he deposited the full amount of R48 848,19 into the company’s bank account. He was told it would take about three weeks to organise the equipment. “We waited, but nothing happened until my wife started visiting the business occasionally to get updates, but they kept making excuses to her until we opened a case against them. Then we realised that we were one of many victims that had been defrauded by this business,” Matsila explained.
The case was opened at Honeydew Police Station. The spokesperson for the station, Captain Balan Muthan, said the matter was still under investigation.
Matsila added that they joined a WhatsApp group consisting of all the victims, using the platform to discuss the scam.
The Northsider has contacted some of the victims on the group. The first victim we contacted said, on condition of anonymity, that she was scammed of R15 000, also for aluminium windows. The second victim, Gerhard Smook, told the publication that he lost R28 400. “I ordered 11 x 3m aluminium sliding doors at the beginning of last year, but have never received my goods. They kept buying time and told me there was nothing I could do to them when I threatened to take action against them,” Smook lamented.
Lindiwe Myeza, who was conned out of the least compared to the rest, said she paid for three aluminum windows including an installation cost, totalling R3 150. “I was promised that they would finish making the windows in 14 days. But when I kept asking about the service, they kept telling me they were busy, until the company closed down,” she explained.
She added that she went to the Small Claims Court and was given a form to complete. She used the form to get the police to escort her to the premises, where she found the business operating under a different name.
“They denied that they had owned or worked for the previous business,” Myeza said.
The publication approached the new company on the property in a bid to clarify the allegations against them. The company, operating as AGH Glass and Aluminium, distanced itself from any affiliation with AF-FSL Glass Distributors.
Jan van der Merwe, from Bouwer Malherbe Attorneys, clarified the situation on behalf of the current company. “The company has no association whatsoever with AF-FSL Glass Distributors. The company has taken over the premises as the relevant entity was placed in liquidation, and the premises became vacant. Any creditor of AF-FSL can direct their claims and complaints to the liquidator of that company,” he advised.
He added that they unfortunately have no contact details for the liquidator. He further warned against the accusations made by the aggrieved clients. “We have been instructed to take legal action against those individuals who make unsubstantiated and malicious accusations against AGH Glass and Aluminium and which results in damages and losses being occasioned through such individual/s unlawful conduct.”
The Northsider has tried to reach AF-FSL Glass Distributors, but none of the contact numbers on an online classified page exist.
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