President Cyril Ramaphosa’s son has been dragged to court by the body corporate of the residential complex in which he owns a property for failing to pay his levies.
Andile Ramaphosa, has been taken to the Joburg high court by Sarbaz Body Corporate for failing to pay over R219 000 arrears for the levies of his property in the leafy suburb of Edenburg, Sandton. The amount has ballooned to over R400 000 after accumulating interest.
In the court papers, which we have seen, Sarbaz said Ramaphosa failed to pay the levies, plunging him into the staggering arrears. In a bid to recover the arrears from him, Sarbaz entered into a debt acknowledgement agreement with him on or about July 6 last year.
In terms of the agreement, which we have seen, Ramaphosa agreed to liquidate the arrears made up of capital debt, interest on overdue amounts, administration fees, legal fees and attorneys legal costs.
The businessman agreed to tender the first instalment of R17 000 on the seventh of every month until the arrears were cleared.
“The debtor shall tender the first instalments in the sum of R17 000 on or before 7th of June 2022, plus all charges, up and until arrears amounts owing, interest, costs, collection charge at R459 (as per Government Gazette 43 592 dated 7 August 2020) per month disbursement, legal fees for the drafting of this document in the amount of R0.00 and various other charges have been settled,” read the papers.
Ramaphosa, according to the agreement, had been given a period of 15 months to repay the full amount to Sarbaz.
However, he breached the agreement when he failed to clear the arrears, leaving the body corporate with no choice but to hand him over to its lawyers.
Sarbaz said its lawyers then sent a letter of demand to Ramaphosa in April, to remit payment and clear his arrears but he threw a zap sign at them.
“Despite due and lawful demand dated 11th April 2023, the defendant has failed and or refused and or neglected to make payments in terms of the agreement.
“The defendant presently remains in default with the aforesaid instalments, together with interest, as agreed between parties in the sum of R401 311.88.
“Wherefore the plaintiff prays for judgment against the defendant for the payment of the amount of R401 311.88,” read the papers.
Ramaphosa did not respond to written questions.
