Julius Malema's friend and former business partner, Lesiba Gwangwa, recently became a victim of scammers. This is after he was sold dreams on Airbnb by people running a scam. Gwangwa invited friends like Tbo Touch and other businessmen to play golf with him to celebrate the beginning of the new year but was left with egg on his face when he realised that the fancy Airbnb he had booked and paid over R30 000 for was nothing but a lie.

Speaking to Zimoja, he said, "The place was totally different from the pictures, it was dirty, smelly and looked like an abandoned mansion." Gwangwa said he made a booking on Airbnb for a getaway with a group of friends to spend four nights.

He said he was attracted to the accommodation because of its unique location and breath-taking beauty, but little did he know the place was nothing like the pictures sold on the advert. Upon arrival, he said he was also impressed by the owners' ability to advertise the place.

"We spoke on the phone and the owner was a nice person. He assured us that the place was the best. Even getting lost on our way, he was helpful with directions - we had no reason to doubt him or the place," he added.

Gwangwa said on arrival their excitement was met with disappointment. "The place did not look like the advertisement and worse, it was dirty and smelly. We could not believe our eyes," he said. 

He added that he immediately contacted the owner, Glen, to inform him of the condition. According to Gwangwa the owner, was remorseful and even offered to request his staff to clean the place again. "But that was not a case. It was more than hygiene. The bedrooms did not look like the ones advertised; it looked like a cheap motel. The place was below living standards," he said. He said he immediately called the owner and described the place to him. "I explained the situation to him, with no resistance he said if the place did not meet our expectations, he would arrange for a refund," said Gwangwa. He said they took his word and immediately looked for another place because there was no ways, they were spending a night there. "We found another spot nearby and continued with our lives although we were a bit disappointed but I found solace in the fact that we were going to get a refund," he added. Nowthe owner is not taking his calls and responding to his emails. He is considering opening a case and has consulted with his lawyers. "This is fraud you can't scam people and expect to get away with it. I paid a lot of money to be scammed like that," he added. "I wanted to open a case the same day, but because he was polite and agreed to refund us, we all decided there was no need to open a case. I have been emailing and calling but I've been met with resistance, arrogance and a change of tune," said Gwangwa adding that "Someone has to take responsibility." Attempts to reach the Airbnb owner proved fruitless as his phone went to voicemail and he failed to respond to our email.