AFTER Thomas Phala’s attempt to build his wife her dream house went up in smoke, he’s now scared his marriage could follow.
This comes after he invested his retirement into a forex scam without telling his wife.
The 63-year-old from Soshanguve block P in Tshwane, said he retired in 2020 and received his money a few months later.
He said he wanted to build his wife a house but his money wasn’t enough.
That was when a woman he had known for years told him about an investment offer.
“I received about R100 000 from work and took R82 000 and gave it to the woman to invest. I didn’t tell my wife because I wanted it to be a surprise,” he said.
He said the woman told him they’d pay him R10 000 every month for three years.
“In June and July of 2020, he got the agreed amount but in August, he was paid R8 000.
Thomas said when he asked what was going on, he was told lockdown had affected the investment. In September, he only got R600 and in October R300.
“I went to their offices but they were closed and there was no one,” he said.
Thomas said when he told his wife, all hell broke loose.
“She was very angry with me. I broke her trust and ruined our marriage,” he said.
Thomas’ wife, Gift (51), said they were struggling because of the scam.
The SunTeam phoned a woman named Pheladi.
She said Thomas must tell the truth because she never received money.
Police spokeswoman Colonel Dimakatso Sello advised Thomas to open a case.