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Coombe & Associates come under fire

In recent months there has been much discussion over garnishee (or EAO) abuse. In the forefront of many of the stories is the firm Coombe & Associates. So bad was the publicity that there seems to have even been a name change and massive jump ship by principle members of the firm. Now it seems that more than bad press is headed Coombe & Associates way. A Debt Counsellor has asked for a Disciplinary hearing with the Northern Province Law Society.

In particular the accusations against Coombe & Associates relate to:

  • Garnishee orders – obtained in courts without nexus to consumer
  • Default judgments being taken with interest rates of 60%. This rate can only legally apply to short term credit. Although the Section 103(5) commonly called induplum rule applies to such judgments and prevents run away debt it is asked: is this legal?

There will be an investigation into the matter and Coombe & Associates could face serious consequences.

If you have a similar experience or are a Debt Counsellor who is assisting consumers with a similar claim it is possible to assist in this matter. You can submit information to the team taking this matter on  within the next 10 days. Your submission can then be include as evidence that these practices are general (at present most of the gathered evidence is from KZN). This will set an important precedent and can then be used in matters country wide.

When submitting information try to include:

  1.  The summons
  2. A signed Consent to judgment
  3. The Garnishee order
  4. Where you/the consumer resides and works (please also mention if you/have they moved while legal proceeding are on-going)

Interestingly: The court stamps must be clear – There is  a tendency to have a ‘bad’ clerk of the court stamp on out of  jurisdiction orders. Keep an eye open for this.

Send your information to:garnishee@georgesmith.co.za