Caterer defrauded of thousands

A local businessman was defrauded out of R5 500 in cash, and R15 000 worth of food.

On March 9 Mr Anthony Mabena, who runs a catering business in eMalahleni, received a phone call from a man requesting quite the big order for a function taking place on March 13.

The function was for 80 people and was set to take place at the Witbank Civic Hall.

“A guy phoned me he said he found my business on the internet and asked me to cater for 80 people,” said Mabena.

Mabena received an order for 40 plates of beef and rice, 40 plates of chicken and rice, two vegetable trays and two salad trays, as well as 80 100% juices and 80 half-litre still waters.

“I quoted him just over R15 000 and he agreed on the deal and paid me by cheque,” said Mabena.

According to Mabena the man called him and told him that he made the cheque out for the wrong amount of R21 000 and asked Mabena to transfer him the R5 500 which would supposedly balance the amount paid. Mabena then paid the man the refunded amount.

“We were set to meet on Thursday in town but he didn’t pitch up, I phoned him and he said he would call me back, which he didn’t,” said Mabena.

The food was prepared and they were going to deliver that Thursday morning when Mabena phoned the man once more. “He didn’t answer again, I was worried that the cheque wouldn’t clear, when we got to the city hall there was no function,” said Mabena.

The reality of the situation hit him when he realised that the cheque had not been cleared and that he had been defrauded of R5 500 in cash as well as the cost to his business in preparing the food.

“I have tried phoning him again but he still doesn’t answer, I passed the food on to my aunt who operates a kitchen downtown so that it wouldn’t go to waste,” said Mabena.

Police are investigating the case of fraud and no arrests have yet been made.

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