×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Teacher livid over illegal withdrawals

BACKPAY: Edward Makondo will be refunded the money deducted from his salary by the Ellerines Group. 05/05/09. © Sowetan.
BACKPAY: Edward Makondo will be refunded the money deducted from his salary by the Ellerines Group. 05/05/09. © Sowetan.

A Limpopo teacher whose salary was illegally attached is now relieved that his struggle to get his money back is over .

A Limpopo teacher whose salary was illegally attached is now relieved that his struggle to get his money back is over .

Ellerines Group has agreed to refund Edward Makondo the R12000 that was deducted from his salary over 12 months.

Makondo approached Consumer Line two weeks ago, accusing Ellerines of refusing to refund his money even when he did not owe the company.

He said what had worsened the situation was that his employers did not inform him about the garnishee order when Van der Merwe and Du Toit attorneys attached his salary on behalf of Ellerines.

"I did not sign the garnishee order and my employers did not even inform me about it or confirm if I knew about the debt," said Makondo.

He said, for some unfortunate reason, he had a similar name, surname and identity number with a person living in Cape Town.

He said he had never lost his identity document and found it disturbing that he had a "twin" who could just go to stores and buy goods without being traced.

"The person whose salary must have been attached works for Speed Services and lives in Goodwood, Cape Town, where Ellerines delivered the goods," he said.

Makondo said he had never visited Cape Town or left his post since 1995 when the Department of Education placed him at Tiyiselane Primary School.

He said he had also incurred expenses travelling to the Braamfontein offices of Ellerines' attorneys and the magistrate's courts trying to resolve the matter.

He said the last time he visited the Ellerines offices he met their representative, John Xaba, who acknowledged there was a mistake and undertook to send a letter ordering their attorneys to stop the garnishee order, but this never happened.

"I want my money with interest and they must also compensate me for the expenses I have incurred travelling to their offices," Makondo said.

Ellerines spokesperson Jason Peter promised that the company would refund Makondo his money.

Peter said their debt collectors had also been instructed to stop the deductions.

"We will inform the relevant credit bureaus and ensure that they correct their records and clear adverse information on Makondo's credit profile pertaining to this matter," said Peter.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.