Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
10 July 2001
The Gauteng Department of Finance and Economic Affairs has asked the Scorpions Elite Police Unit to investigate a series of complaints it has received against a company called Diablo Trade 164 (Pty) Ltd.
The department has been inundated with complaints from several consumers who have been duped to part with amount totalling more than R500 000 through a scheme which turned out to be a bogus contract with Diablo Trade 164(Pty) Ltd. The company misled consumers claiming association with Chula Enterprise, Nissan SA and Nubian. Both Chula Enterprise and Nissan SA have denied any link or association with Diablo.
According to complaints before the Office for the Investigation of Unfair Business Practice in the Consumer Affairs, between 1999 and 2000 consumers entered into contracts with Diablo Trade at the company's invitation. In terms of the contract, upon payment of deposit, the complainants would receive trucks and trailers to commence with the business of delivering coal to clients that would be identified by Diablo Trade. To date none of the complainants received the promised goods.
Several complaints against Diablo Trade are part of the matters to have been heard during the sitting of the Consumer Court on Wednesday, July 11. These matters have now been referred to the office of the Scorpion's Elite Police Unit for further investigations, as the company could not be traced through the available details.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Court will be sitting to hear at least three other matters relating to housing contracts. It is also expected to confirm an agreement reached with MFA Properties in a matter heard last month. The matter relates to an agreement in which the company accepted a deposit of R16 545 for an extension of an existing structure between 1998 and 1999. The construction was never completed.
The matter was heard last month and postponed for next week. Last week, the company reached an agreement with the Consumer Protector to complete the construction work.
"Our office is determined to protect consumers against unscrupulous business practices. We are also determined to vigorously follow up the matters against Diablo Trade through other government agencies," says Fate Manuela, Gating Consumer Protector in the Department of Finance and Economic Affairs. Details of the Court sitting are as follows:
Date: Wednesday, 11 July 2001
Time: 9h00
Venue: First Floor (Consumer Court), Atoll House
94 Main Street
Johannesburg
For further information contact: Eloisa Tyrants
(Department of Finance and Economic Affairs)
(011) 355 8403 / 082 905 1147
e-mail: nosisit@gpg.gov.za