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A Limpopo couple’s game farm dream ends in a landmark consumer law win
Buying a game farm is supposed to be the kind of purchase you celebrate with friends and long weekends in the bush. For a Limpopo couple, it became a three-year fight that has now ended in a ruling that could reshape how property auctions are run in South Africa.
What began as a dream of owning land near Lephalale turned into a hard lesson about glossy marketing and missing truths.
The picture that sold the dream
In June 2022, Juan Scholtz and Freda Scholtz successfully bid R6.6 million for a game farm known as Ba Batle. The bidder’s pack, supplied by Root X Africa Auctioneers CC, painted an idyllic picture. One image in particular stood out. A dam, complete with a crocodile, suggested a classic bushveld escape.
The couple paid a deposit of R660,000 and an auctioneer’s commission of R569,250, committing more than R1.2 million upfront. Only days later did the excitement collapse.
A farm without the feature that mattered
When the Scholtz couple began looking more closely at their new purchase, they discovered the dam did not belong to the farm at all. It sat on a neighbouring property. The land they had bought had no such water feature.
For buyers seeking a game farm, a dam is not decorative. It affects wildlife, value, and long-term plans. The couple cancelled the sale almost immediately and asked for their money back.
According to Juan Scholtz, attempts to resolve the issue went nowhere. Calls and legal letters were ignored, leaving the couple stuck and out of pocket.
Taking the fight beyond the auction floor
After nearly a year of silence, their attorney escalated the matter to the National Consumer Tribunal. The hearing was held online in July 2025, with a ruling delivered in December.
The tribunal rejected the auctioneer’s argument that the misleading image was an innocent mistake. It found that including a photograph of a dam without clearly stating it was not part of the property created a false impression for bidders.
The ruling made it clear that auctions are not exempt from consumer law simply because bidding happens quickly and competitively.
A costly lesson for the auction industry
The tribunal ordered Root X Africa Auctioneers to repay R1.207 million with interest within 30 business days. On top of that, an administrative fine of R250,000 was imposed.
Beyond the money, the judgement carries weight. It confirms that auctioneers are held to a higher standard of transparency because buyers often rely entirely on marketing packs when making rapid decisions.
Why this matters beyond Limpopo
Property auctions are popular across South Africa, especially for farms, lodges, and lifestyle estates. This case sends a strong signal that visual marketing must match reality, not aspiration.
On social media, the ruling has been widely welcomed by property buyers and legal commentators, many calling it a rare but important win for ordinary consumers facing powerful sellers.
For the Scholtz couple, the decision brings closure. For the auction industry, it sets a clear warning. If an image helps sell a property, it had better belong to it.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: iStock
