Picture: for illustration purposes
In a developing story, a 45-year-old Mossel Bay businessman, Andre Boshoff, made his initial appearance in the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court yesterday. He is facing charges involving alleged fraudulent behaviour in which he is said to have accepted sizeable deposits from clients for solar panels, without fulfilling these orders.
Reports suggest that victims of this alleged fraud claim to have paid between R85,000 and R39,000 for these solar panels. Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp, has confirmed that at least seven charges have been filed against Boshoff, lodged at various police stations within Mossel Bay.
In a surprising twist, bail of an undisclosed amount was granted to the beleaguered businessman. The case has been put on hold until the 3rd November where further developments are expected.
The case marks a grim milestone, adding a layer of distrust in an environment where renewable energy adaptation, especially solar panels, is on the verge of widespread adoption. It underscores the need for robust consumer protection measures in the sector.