Although the Perm Building Society halted its action against Sisulu, legal sources say the court judgement against him still stands – so he now has a criminal record. The Perm had applied for a default order over unpaid bond repayments amounting to R21 570,73.
On Tuesday, judgement was given in favour of The Perm, ordering Sisulu to make immediate payment – but then the legal action was halted when the Perm realised Sisulu’s cheque had been "lost in the system".
The cheque – used instead of the usual deposit book – was delayed from reaching its destination in the bonds and mortgage sector of the SA Perm. Sisulu was carrying the deposit book when he was detained several weeks ago.
His mother, Albertina, only realized the mix-up had occurred when she read of the court case, in the press the next morning. The money had been deposited after an appeal by Sisulu' s lawyers for more time – on account of Zwelakhe's detention – had been refused by The Perm.
When the facts behind the court action were discovered, The Perm recalled the summons on Sisulu's house, and public relations officer MJ Grobler paid the legal costs out of his own pocket. "A sign," he said, "of goodwill."
Bob Tucker, MD of The Perm, said that "each case was treated on its merits".
This article originally appeared in the Weekly Mail.
