“Love Loan” Backfires: Girlfriend Ordered To Repay R610,000 To Married Man

A Love Affair Turned Legal Drama

What started as a secret affair has now ended in a courtroom showdown. A Johannesburg man, identified only as HW, has won a court case against his former girlfriend, RS, after she was ordered to repay R610,000 that he gave her during their relationship.

The South Gauteng High Court found that the payments were not a “gift of love” but a loanone the girlfriend acknowledged through WhatsApp messages.

Hiding Money From His Wife

The story began in 2017 when HW, who was married in community of property to his wife SJW, withdrew more than R850,000 from his investment account. His goal? To hide some of that money from his wife in case of divorce.

He transferred R610,000 to RS in two payments, claiming it was a loan to help her with her struggling business. But when the relationship fell apart, he demanded the money backsomething RS refused, saying it was a gift that symbolised his promise to leave his wife and start a new life with her.

From Romance To Courtroom

When RS refused to repay him, HW took her to courtjoining his wife as a co-plaintiff because of their marriage contract. The first ruling in 2023 favoured RS, with the judge questioning HW’s honesty and motives, noting that the entire scheme had started as a way to deceive his wife.

However, HW appealed the decision, and a full bench of the High Court re-examined new evidence, including WhatsApp messages that changed everything.

WhatsApp Messages Expose The Truth

The judges found the digital trail damning. In multiple WhatsApp exchanges, RS admitted that she owed the money and promised to pay it back. Messages like “I know I owe you,” and “Let me first sort out my life and then I will give you back your money” painted a clear picture that the funds were never meant as a gift.

The court said the conversations were a “candid record” of the relationship’s financial dealings and showed that RS understood the payments were loans.

Legal And Moral Lessons

Judge Stuart Wilson initially expressed doubt about HW’s credibility, calling his actions dishonest. But the appeal court took a wider view, noting that while HW’s motives were questionable, the legal evidence pointed to a loannot a romantic gesture.

The ruling means RS must repay the full R610,000, plus interest and legal costs.

A Costly Affair

While HW may have won back his money, his public image and likely his marriage may not recover so easily. The judgment serves as a reminder that love, lies, and money rarely mix well, especially when WhatsApp receipts are involved.

It’s a cautionary tale for anyone trying to mix romance with financial secrecy because in South Africa, even affairs can come with an invoice.

{Source: IOL }

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com