Predatory Pastor: Chatsworth Mission For Christ Church Swindles Young Amanzimtoti Family of R900,000 and Evicts Them

Prophet, Profits or Perversion? A Cautionary Tale 

Chris and Luzaan embarked on a journey not too long ago, seeking to transition from their apartment life to a spacious home in Amanzimtoti. With diligent savings totalling R500,000, they set out to fulfil their dream of providing a better environment for their growing family. What followed was a series of events that unfolded into a distressing narrative of trust misplaced, financial exploitation, and legal entanglements.

Their search led them to an unfinished property in need of extensive renovation, a venture that required creative financing solutions. It was during this search that they encountered local developer Dan Chellan, also known as Pastor Dan Chellan from Mission for Christ Church in Chatsworth. His dual roles as a property developer and a religious figure initially gave them confidence in their dealings, a sentiment rooted in their upbringing within Christian families that revered men of faith as honourable and trustworthy.

However, what transpired defied their expectations. Despite assurances from Pastor Dan, the instalment sale agreement they entered became a quagmire of hidden costs, unfulfilled promises, and legal irregularities. From unexpected demands for additional payments to the discovery of concealed property defects, their dream home quickly turned into a nightmare of financial loss and emotional turmoil.

The lack of essential certifications, such as water, electricity, and occupancy certificates, further highlighted the questionable practices surrounding their transaction. The said certificates were then illegally obtained 2 years later without a property inspection. Pastor Dan's disregard for legal protocols, including omitting crucial clauses in contracts and charging unauthorized fees and interest despite not being registered with the National Credit Regulator, compounded their challenges and eroded their trust in the process.

Their attempts to rectify the situation were met with further obstacles, including eviction threats and coercive demands for additional payments. Despite legal interventions and negotiations, the couple found themselves in a precarious position, stripped of their home and facing significant financial losses.

In another display of questionable ethics, he personally demanded a "gratitude gift" of R100,000 to delay the family's immediate eviction at one point. This demand, coupled with his ultimatum giving them two months to sell the property or face losing everything, highlighted Pastor Dan's greed and manipulative tactics. Despite being unable to sell the property himself for years due to its poor condition, he insisted on an unreasonable offer of R700,000 or nothing at all after the family had already invested a significant sum, including a R500,000 deposit, over R650,000 in monthly instalments, and an additional R350,000 in property improvements.

After the contract was unlawfully terminated as per the Alienation of Land Act, Pastor Dan returned R400,000 of the R700,000, claiming he didn't have the rest. He strung the family along with false promises, eventually making a partial payment of R200,000 and keeping the remainder for himself. This left Chris and Luzaan with a staggering loss of R900,000 in less than three years, considering the property's appreciated value.

Upon legal intervention, a roundtable discussion aimed at resolving the matter determined the owed amount to be R740,000, accounting for rental costs. However, Pastor Dan's erratic behaviour persisted as he first countered paying R540,000, then reduced it to R300,000, and finally offered a mere R30,000 settlement to which they refused. These actions exemplified his deceitful and manipulative practices, leaving the family in financial ruin and emotional turmoil.  

Following their eviction, Chris and Luzaan entered into discussions with Pastor Dan's attorney. They were given the impression that Pastor Dan might agree to make payments both before and after the property's sale if they returned the keys, although they were hesitant to do so. Despite their compliance, Pastor Dan ultimately reneged on his promises on December 12th, 2023, leaving Chris and Luzaan feeling deceived and exploited, having lost both their home and their money to his actions.

Their story serves as a cautionary tale, urging others to exercise diligence and scepticism in property transactions, especially when dealing with individuals who wield religious affiliations as a shield. It underscores the importance of thorough background checks, legal scrutiny of contracts, and seeking independent advice to avoid falling victim to exploitative practices.

In sharing their ordeal, Chris and Luzaan hope to raise awareness and prevent others from enduring similar hardships. Their message resonates with a call for accountability, transparency, and ethical conduct in real estate dealings, urging prospective buyers to approach such transactions with caution and informed decision-making.

Please take a moment to reflect on their story and share it widely, as it serves as a reminder of the potential risks and pitfalls that can accompany seemingly promising opportunities in the real estate market.

David Muller    Contact the author of the petition