A MAN previously exposed by Sowetan as a bogus doctor who also masquerades as a union leader has allegedly defrauded people through his illegal funeral parlour.
Sowetan has now learnt that Tshepo Maponyane, owner of Kagiso Memorial Services in the West Rand township, owes clients money for services not rendered.
Maponyane's four-year-old business, which he has been running from the Build-It centre in Jacobs Street, closed last month due to unpaid rent, centre manager Paula Aguiar said.
Though a notice on the door stated that the business had moved to Luipaardsvlei it could not be located.
A former employee of Maponyane's, who quit because he was not paid, said the parlour had more than 40 clients. It offered a variety of services, including funeral cover.
But the Financial Services Board (FSB), which regulates financial services institutions, confirmed that the parlour was not registered.
"Kagiso Memorial Services is not authorised as a financial services provider or a representative of any provider.
"Any complaints from the clients should be referred to the Long-Term Insurance Ombudsman," said Manasse Malimabe, FSB head of financial advisory and intermediary services.
The former employee said that among the unusual business practices was the outsourcing of body storage facilities to other parlours .
"Many unhappy clients came looking for him because of unrendered services. My heart bleeds for his clients. Everything was a mess," said the employee.
One of Maponyane's clients, who spoke anonymously, said the businessman owed her about R6000 for two tombstones that she should have received in April.
She said she had paid R18000 for the tombstones - R12000 of which was paid directly to a tombstone manufacturer only known as Motlhabi.
Sowetan independently established that Zacharia Esau Motlhabi is the owner of Ompone Granite Works in Westonaria.
The client said Motlhabi would not release the stones because he had not received the rest of the money from Maponyane.
"I ordered two tombstones for my mother and grandmother's graves and Maponyane directed me to Motlhabi who I paid directly.
"However, I paid R6000 into Maponyane's business account as per his instructions and he has not paid it to Motlhabi.
"He is a sweet talker and always makes promises but I've lost patience now," said the customer.
Approached for comment, Motlhabi said: "I didn't know that his business was illegal. I've worked with him since 2014.
"He owes me some money but it's not a lot."
'Scam artist' at it again
A MAN previously exposed by Sowetan as a bogus doctor who also masquerades as a union leader has allegedly defrauded people through his illegal funeral parlour.
Sowetan has now learnt that Tshepo Maponyane, owner of Kagiso Memorial Services in the West Rand township, owes clients money for services not rendered.
Maponyane's four-year-old business, which he has been running from the Build-It centre in Jacobs Street, closed last month due to unpaid rent, centre manager Paula Aguiar said.
Though a notice on the door stated that the business had moved to Luipaardsvlei it could not be located.
A former employee of Maponyane's, who quit because he was not paid, said the parlour had more than 40 clients. It offered a variety of services, including funeral cover.
But the Financial Services Board (FSB), which regulates financial services institutions, confirmed that the parlour was not registered.
"Kagiso Memorial Services is not authorised as a financial services provider or a representative of any provider.
"Any complaints from the clients should be referred to the Long-Term Insurance Ombudsman," said Manasse Malimabe, FSB head of financial advisory and intermediary services.
The former employee said that among the unusual business practices was the outsourcing of body storage facilities to other parlours .
"Many unhappy clients came looking for him because of unrendered services. My heart bleeds for his clients. Everything was a mess," said the employee.
One of Maponyane's clients, who spoke anonymously, said the businessman owed her about R6000 for two tombstones that she should have received in April.
She said she had paid R18000 for the tombstones - R12000 of which was paid directly to a tombstone manufacturer only known as Motlhabi.
Sowetan independently established that Zacharia Esau Motlhabi is the owner of Ompone Granite Works in Westonaria.
The client said Motlhabi would not release the stones because he had not received the rest of the money from Maponyane.
"I ordered two tombstones for my mother and grandmother's graves and Maponyane directed me to Motlhabi who I paid directly.
"However, I paid R6000 into Maponyane's business account as per his instructions and he has not paid it to Motlhabi.
"He is a sweet talker and always makes promises but I've lost patience now," said the customer.
Approached for comment, Motlhabi said: "I didn't know that his business was illegal. I've worked with him since 2014.
"He owes me some money but it's not a lot."
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