‘Where’s our money?’
The Ballito Christmas Market was cancelled after exhibitors demanded their money back from the organisers.
Sparks flew when the Ballito Christmas market was closed down on Saturday, after organisers were accused of conning about 150 exhibitors out of thousands of Rands.
The much advertised market was being held in the old Umhlali BMW building in the Umhlali village and was advertised as in aid of charity – but nobody knew which charity.
Heated arguments broke out on Saturday morning between the exhibitors and the organisers, Heidi Garbade and Brenda Els, and the Umhlali SAPS were called in for the second time in two days.
The police reportedly took Garbade away in the back of a police van after conflict broke out on Friday but she was back at the market within an hour.
At first Els said the money had been deposited into a joint account belonging to her and Garbade, but later fetched the money from home.
Umhlali SAPS warrant officer Afzal Hoosen, who mediated “negotiations” between organisers and exhibitors, said Garbade undertook late on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of her lawyer and maintaining that she is innocent, to pay out money owed to stallholders.
“At the moment the case is still civil because contractually, Garbade has until the end of January to pay out traders and is not yet in breach of contract,” said Hoosen.
Garbade’s lawyer confiscated her laptop and ID book, making it possible for the police to find her if necessary. Garbade was born in Namibia and has duel South African and Namibian citizenship.
Raymond Hsu, another trader from Pretoria, said he paid R12 000 to be at the market and wants his money back.
“I have been trying to contact Heidi but she is not answering my call. Any assistance will be highly appreciated,” said Hsu on Facebook.
Sandy Naylor said she pulled out of the market before it started because she had a “weird feeling” and it was very disorganised.
Garbade’s former assistant, Bronwyn Bester, said she had been working for Garbade for two months and claimed that Garbade’s charity organisation, Furthering Education, is fictitious.
She said she consulted a lawyer and discovered that only one percent of the money deposited into that account went towards Furthering Education and it appeared to be Garbade’s personal account.
Bester said Garbade did not cash up with the girls at the till at the end of each day, but just left with the cash.
“She would then in the morning accuse the girls of stealing the money,” said Bester.
Bester said Garbade paid the musicians out of the till but made no record of the payments.
“After confronting her about her handling of the money, she told me not to come back,” said Bester.
Garbade’s whereabouts are not known and she could not be contacted for comment.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message with your name and surname to 061 718 4438.
Please read our WhatsApp broadcast list disclaimer.
Join us on BBM at 59015786
Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
