Page 1 of 14 12311 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 131

Thread: Business Hijacking

  1. #1
    Platinum Member desA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    South East Asia
    Posts
    1,023
    Thanks
    512
    Thanked 126 Times in 99 Posts

    Business Hijacking

    I've been a victim of what I can only describe as a Business Hijacking.

    It involves a small start-up CC, three CC members, a second CC which convinces two CC members to asset strip on its behalf - one who just happens to be wife of 2nd CC owner (their financial book-keeper to boot); & a willing attorney who provides the shotgun & bullets to provide cover for the team's activities - through numerous threats of court cases etc. The third member is left with nothing, while the gang appears to be attempting to sell up & move abroad.

    Oh, lest I forget - enter large company apparently prepared to forge contract documents, cover up their activities at each turn - & a strong concern of ripped member for possible tax irregularities. This smells of a fast-paced novel.

    I'd like to hear whether folks have come across this concept, operating in South Africa & their experiences.

    Along the way, I'll write up my experiences & flesh out my approach to ending this nightmare scenario (after the actions have played out), with what little legal resources & teeth SA really has left. I am not a man of means, but I do have mental horsepower & testicular fortitude. This matter has almost smashed our family finances. It is unbelievable to know that people act in this way.

    The journey will expose the dark underside of doing business in SA. I believe that this phenomenon may be an emerging trend in SA, as general law & order begins to crumble & unscrupulous operators fleece the unsuspecting & honest.

    Small wonder international investors & companies are beginning to steer clear of SA. This nation has a dark heart!
    In search of South African Technology Nuggets(R), for sale & trading in South East Asia.

  2. #2
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,648
    Thanks
    3,304
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    Ouch!

    Partnerships certainly can be tricky.

  3. Thanks given for this post:

    desA (25-Feb-14)

  4. #3
    Diamond Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    planet earth
    Posts
    3,943
    Thanks
    153
    Thanked 317 Times in 287 Posts
    Happened to a mate of mine. He was in a partnership with some people making bullet proof jackets and offering specialised training all over Africa.

    Got home one day from a trip, to find his flat locked with a notice on the door. they were all living large until one day his partner and the partners wife had moved all the money whatever else they could "steal" and left. He has gone from driving fancy car, living in a penthouse to riding a bicycle with no place to stay.

  5. Thanks given for this post:

    desA (25-Feb-14)

  6. #4
    Platinum Member desA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    South East Asia
    Posts
    1,023
    Thanks
    512
    Thanked 126 Times in 99 Posts
    Thanks Ians. What a shame.

    A few questions immediately spring to mind:
    What recourse does he have in SA to recover his funds?
    What does he plan to do about recovery?
    What happens now to the business structure that is in place?
    Who is legally responsible to wind things up?
    Is SARS owed moneys? If so - who foots the bill?

    What will this poor fellow do now?

    Some perhaps positives for him to consider:
    Who owns the know-how & intellectual property wrt the jackets?
    Who has the client contact list?
    Could he re-energise on his own, off the client list & with another financier?
    In search of South African Technology Nuggets(R), for sale & trading in South East Asia.

  7. #5
    Platinum Member sterne.law@gmail.com's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Durban
    Posts
    1,332
    Thanks
    38
    Thanked 566 Times in 413 Posts
    Blog Entries
    7
    Regarding recourse -
    The business is in SA then the jurisdiction is here, so a court can grant judgement etc.
    Enforcement can be done overseas if there are assets, but it is not cheap or easy, and you have to find the assets.
    A partnership is not a real entity and is not continous. It pretty much killed itself.
    SARS would be owed in individual hands as a partnership is taxed as individuals.
    Anthony Sterne

    www.acumenholdings.co.za
    DISCLAIMER The above is merely a comment in discussion form and an open public arena. It does not constitute a legal opinion or professional advice in any manner or form.

  8. Thanks given for this post:

    desA (25-Feb-14)

  9. #6
    Platinum Member desA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    South East Asia
    Posts
    1,023
    Thanks
    512
    Thanked 126 Times in 99 Posts
    Thanks Anthony. A few challenges for you, in the CC described in opening post.

    The business is in SA then the jurisdiction is here, so a court can grant judgement etc.
    Scenario:
    Business partners have used all the CC assets against the third CC member, for legal fees - & have asset-stripped the rest into the 2nd CC.

    Question:
    How does the 3rd CC member obtain justice in SA, without being hugely flush in ZAR?

    Tell you why I ask:
    In my case, I was quoted around R150 000 to sort out everything. Visits to silks etc were conducted in order to obtain the correct legal frame. The outcome - law fully in 3rd member's favour. All clear.

    No problem to sort the rest out - give us around R500k - R1bar & this 'should' be sufficient to get us where we need to be. What kind of world do we live in?

    Point-to-note : Hijacking Principle #1
    The business hijackers use the cost of legal remedy against their victims. They use the victims' money against them, by employing attack-style attorneys who use mafia-style bully-tactics to attempt to scare away their victims. Threats of court orders, huge claims (with no basis), are used. Most victims do not have the resources, or emotional fortitude to mount a defence.

    Point to note : Hijacking Principle #2
    Going to civil court has absolutely nothing to do with right, or wrong - only what is winnable in the particular court, under a particular judge, on a particular day.

    Point to note : Hijacking Principle #3
    Litigation is all about costs versus returns. What to risk in legal outlay against the potential returns? Very much a gambling game, for the wealthy. Justice does not enter the equation.
    In search of South African Technology Nuggets(R), for sale & trading in South East Asia.

  10. #7
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,648
    Thanks
    3,304
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    What % membership in the cc did the unfortunate 3rd member hold?

  11. #8
    Platinum Member desA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    South East Asia
    Posts
    1,023
    Thanks
    512
    Thanked 126 Times in 99 Posts
    What % membership in the cc did the unfortunate 3rd member hold?
    Dave, a very valid question. 20% shareholding. The share structure was 60%, 20%, 20%.

    This was a classic mistake in CC law. A minimum 'blocking' % needs to be at least 26%.

    The problem was that only one business meeting was ever held between all three CC members. It would be understood that, at routine business meetings, various members voting as they see fit. This is business. The difficulty came in that when the initial challenges arose (over correct turnover declarations, operating expenses & tax due), one of the early plays by the hijack attorney, was to attempt to bar the 3rd member from meeting, or even talking to the other CC members. So, no members' meetings were ever held after that.

    Based on the modus of the hijackers, even controlling interests could have been bypassed by their tactics.

    Hijacker's Principle #4
    Use every means to isolate the hijack victim from being able to protect their interest in the business / CC.

    Ironically, the very principles used by the hijackers, in isolating the hijack victim from the hijackers are these that allow liquidation of a business, in law.

    Anti-Hijack Principle #1
    He who controls the money, is king!
    In search of South African Technology Nuggets(R), for sale & trading in South East Asia.

  12. #9
    Platinum Member sterne.law@gmail.com's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Durban
    Posts
    1,332
    Thanks
    38
    Thanked 566 Times in 413 Posts
    Blog Entries
    7
    Unfortunately, as pointed out, even if the law and facts support you, the question is, do you have the money and/or fortitude to go through with it.
    And it's not about what your rights are or what the law says, it's what people actually do. Sad, but true.

    If there are other creditors a liquidation application may be the answer. Even if stripped, the liquidators can declare it a below value sale. There is also pier ing the corporate veil.
    However, critically, unless there are assets here, it may not even be worth considering. And obviously it still comes with legal costs. Liquidation do however sometimes have spin off, if you get interdicts.

    On a separate note, gain its legal fees, sorry, a minority shareholder can approach the court for a 'liquidation' where there are disagreements.
    Anthony Sterne

    www.acumenholdings.co.za
    DISCLAIMER The above is merely a comment in discussion form and an open public arena. It does not constitute a legal opinion or professional advice in any manner or form.

  13. #10
    Platinum Member desA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    South East Asia
    Posts
    1,023
    Thanks
    512
    Thanked 126 Times in 99 Posts
    Thanks for your wise comments, Anthony.
    In search of South African Technology Nuggets(R), for sale & trading in South East Asia.

Page 1 of 14 12311 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Strategy to get involved with business and business investment
    By Quickben in forum Business Finance Forum
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 11-May-14, 12:19 PM
  2. Brand name hijacking with Google Ads
    By Dave A in forum Business Online Forum
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 22-Feb-12, 03:48 PM
  3. Business Structures & Business Bank Account in SA
    By nigelm in forum Business Finance Forum
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 08-May-10, 04:57 PM

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •