Court Orders Eviction of Drip from Springs Mall Over Unpaid Rent

According to Sunday World, the  Johannesburg High Court has issued an eviction order to remove popular South African sneaker brand Drip from Springs Mall in the Far East Rand of Gauteng due to unpaid rent. The court order, issued to mall owners Blue Crane Eco Mall, Vukile Property Fund, Murinda Investments, and F&G Investments 2 on June 11, revealed that Drip and its owner, businessman Lekau Sehoana, are in arrears of R354,000.

The court documents read: “Default judgment is granted against the defendants, jointly and severally the one paying the other to be absolved, for payment of the sum of R354,422.24. Ejectment forthwith of the first defendant and anyone claiming occupation through the first defendant from the commercial leased premises described as shop SH10L072, Springs Mall, Erf 1257, Casseldale Extension 4, situated at corner Wit and Jan Smuts Road, Casseldale, Springs, Gauteng.”

The landlords had filed for the eviction order last year after Drip failed to honour the lease agreement signed on February 2, 2021. According to the agreement, Drip was to pay a monthly rental fee of just under R20,000, which was to increase by 8% annually or by 8% of the brand’s annual net turnover. Additional monthly charges included marketing fees of R1,000, parking fees of R4,100, and a share of municipal rates of over R1,200.

Despite these stipulations, Drip accumulated arrears exceeding R354,000, including more than R87,000 for utilities, refuse removal, and administrative costs. The landlords, citing breach of the lease agreement, canceled the lease and sought fair and reasonable damages exceeding R88,000, including unpaid rent from December 23 to February 2024.

The court ruling emphasised immediate payment of the arrears and eviction from the premises. Drip’s failure to comply with the lease terms led to this legal action, showcasing the stringent measures landlords can take against tenants who default on payments.