Africa-Press – Lesotho. AN attempt by a High Court sheriff to attach property allegedly owned by a businessman in Leribe to recover a bad debt on behalf of First National Bank (FNB) fell flat on its face this week.
The businessman, Taka Khoeli, owed the bank M160 000. It was thought that Khoeli owned a supermarket, two taverns, and a clothing shop in Leribe. When the sheriff sought to attach the property, he was however shocked to learn that all the properties were registered in the names of his girlfriend, ‘Marethabile Majara.
It was not clear when these properties were registered in Majara’s name. The assistant sheriff, Mpho Maphiri, travelled about 94 kilometres to Ha-Lejone accompanied by two heavily armed police officers to execute judgement.
He told the court in his return of service papers that he had asked to be accompanied by the police because he had been informed that Khoeli would not take it lying down.
“I am told he is a silly man who might even fight me when I execute, so it’s wise to seek protection from Ha-Lejone Police Station,” Maphiri said.
When he arrived at Ha-Lejone, they entered the tavern which was full of people playing snooker and went to the till to talk to the cashier. The two police officers appeared ready to pounce if anything went wrong.
Everyone in the tavern went on one side to give the assistant sheriff the space to write whatever he wanted to take. “I will take this television, snooker table, sound system and these fridges,” he said as he noted down what was inside the tavern.
The journey went on to Mphorosane, still in Ha-Lejone area, where he sought to find Khoeli at one of his three businesses. Khoeli was thought to own a tavern, a supermarket and a clothing shop.
But when he arrived at Mphorosane, the sheriff had the shock of his life when he learnt that all the property he thought was owned by Khoeli was actually registered in his girlfriend’s names.
The two were alleged to have been staying together for a very long time to the extent that people thought they were married. Maphiri requested for the documents of the cars, businesses and all the licences of the businesses.
“Everything was registered in the names of Majara,” he said. He had to go back to the court which in turn informed the bank that Khoeli owned nothing.
Khoeli took a loan of more than M160 000 on September 30, 2019 but later reneged on his commitment to settle the loan. According to the execution order, he was to pay that amount with M25 000 in arrears.
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