Loan defaulter faces court deadline

A long-running dispute over an unpaid loan has landed in the Matala Local Court, where a woman has been ordered to repay money she borrowed more than a year ago.

The case, heard this week by Court President ‘Mantšieng Ramashamole, was brought by ‘Makabelo Lethoko of Ha-Abia, who accused ‘Mabereng Api of failing to return M1,500 she had borrowed in August 2024.

According to testimony, Lethoko had repeatedly asked Api for the money, but was met with excuses and unfulfilled promises. “Each time I went to her, she assured me she would pay soon. But months passed, and nothing happened,” Lethoko told the court.

Frustrated by the delays, Lethoko said she asked her husband to intervene by speaking directly to Api’s husband. He too pledged that the loan would be repaid, but no payment followed.

Matters escalated when Lethoko turned to the police for help. A meeting was scheduled for 12 May 2025 at the police station, but Api did not attend, citing illness. Instead, her husband appeared and admitted that his wife owed the money. He gave the police his word that the debt would be cleared by the end of May.

That promise, too, went unfulfilled. After the deadline passed, Lethoko said both Api and her husband stopped taking her calls. With no other option, she filed a case at the Matala Local Court, seeking its intervention.

The court heard supporting testimony from a witness, 36-year old ‘Mabohlokoa Mateane, who confirmed that Api’s husband had acknowledged the debt during the police meeting and pledged repayment.

Mateane also told the court that Api had missed the meeting due to illness but had nonetheless sent her husband in her place.

After reviewing the evidence, Court President Ramashamole ruled in Lethoko’s favour.

Api was ordered to repay the M1,500 within 30 days or present herself in court to defend the case. The judgment also included additional costs of M480 for filing the case, as well as compensation for transport and food expenses incurred by Lethoko in pursuing justice.

“The respondent must either pay or appear before this court to show cause. Failure to do so will result in further legal action,” Ramashamole ruled.

The deadline for compliance is set for 9 October 2025. If Api does not repay or make her defence by then, the court will proceed with enforcement measures to recover the debt.

Outside the courtroom, Lethoko expressed relief at the ruling but said the drawn-out process had been stressful.

“It has taken more than a year to reach this point. I only hope she will respect the court’s decision so that I can finally recover what is rightfully mine,” she said.