Khulubuse Zuma. Photo: Sandile Ndlovu Khulubuse Zuma. Photo: Sandile Ndlovu
Prominent Durban businessmen – including President Jacob Zuma’s multi-millionaire nephew Khulubuse Zuma – have lost thousands of rands in a big television con.
A 29-year-old man allegedly at the centre of it was arrested at his girlfriend’s La Lucia home last week.
He appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday, charged with fraud.
Police said Justin Lamprecht’s modus operandi involved taking a 50 percent deposit from clients and claiming he would supply big, flat-screen TV sets in three or four days, only to disappear without a trace.
Private investigator Sean Pierce told Independent Newspapers he had been asked to investigate by disgruntled clients who became suspicious after being offered big television sets at “excellent” prices.
His probe painted a picture of excited clients who fell for the conman’s charms and promise of big bargains.
Pierce said the ploy had been used in up to 17 cases in Durban and in Joburg.
Asked how buyers could be so gullible as to pay for television sets they had not seen, Pierce said, “This guy’s very good, very smooth. He could sell ice to an Eskimo.”
Although details remain unclear on how the alleged conman met former taxi boss-turned businessman Khulubuse Zuma, the TV dealer is believed to have advertised his services in a magazine. But news of his “bargains” mainly spread by word of mouth.
Zuma could not be reached for comment, but it is believed he paid more than R20 000 for TV sets he didn’t receive.
A 37 year-old La Lucia businessman, who asked not to be named, said yesterday he paid R50 000 in July for TVs he has yet to see.
After being introduced by a mutual friend, he had put down R50 000 as a 50 percent deposit for eight 46-inch television sets in July.
“I was reluctant to do that. But I was in the market for a TV.
“I saw it as a good opportunity to get one for my dad, two for my offices and the rest I would have given to friends.”
He described the man as “a fairly decent guy”.
“My friend spent a lot of time with him, and he seemed to know all the prominent people we mix with.
“Everything seemed above board with the sale.
“He sent me an invoice with his company letterhead. So I deposited the money.
“He can definitely talk the talk; he pulled the wool over everybody’s eyes.”
The businessman said he would not be surprised if more prominent people had been conned, but were too embarrassed to talk about it.
The police said two more cases had been opened against the accused, in Durban North and Umhlali, this week.
Police spokesman Colonel Jay Naicker said Lamprecht had been remanded at Westville Prison and would appear in Verulam for a second bail application tomorrow.
Naicker advised buyers to deal with reputable suppliers.
People with more information can contact Pierce at 086 529 5199.