Sekati shares jail experience and has advise for business owners
Pastor and businessman Sekati Sekati, who was released from civil imprisonment on Friday,wishes for one thing - that civil imprisonment would not be as brutal as it is currently.
Sekati, who became popular overnight as a result of his widely published polygamous marriage was arrested on February 3, following claims that he had failed to pay fellow businessman an amount of P225 000. His view is that unlike in criminal matters where when someone is sentenced to jail, they are told in advance the day that they will be sentenced, in civil matters, people are ambushed, which opens the entire practice to abuse by lawyers and sheriffs. He believes a lot of innocent people end up being sent to jail.
Sekati however, told The Midweek Sun that he has no hard feelings for landing in jail. His belief is that when someone owes another and is unable to pay, the provision of the law for civil imprisonment should be allowed to take course. This, to him, is justice.
Narrating his ordeal, he said as a businessman he understands that decisions that are made daily can either break the business or make it. “Unfortunately for this one, it went south,” he said.
He had entered into a business deal with another businessman to sell cattle but unfortunately, he could not as a result of Covid-19. According to him, the cattle ended up dying without him selling any to make profit.
While Sekati says prison is not a good place to be, he noted that he was generally treated well and learnt a lot. He admits to being assaulted by some inmates who were suspicious that he may be there to spy on them.
“Prison is a place for everyone, I found all sorts of people in prison, academics, pastors, criminals, politicians, businessmen. There are just so many lessons to be learnt there. Prison opens your eyes, my view of the world has changed" Sekati said.
He added that prison is not a place of respect and order. It is rather a place of survival and he used his military experiences to adjust to the place. One of his survival tactics was to quickly familiarise himself with the way things are done in prison to make his stay easier.
“My lawyer tried to stop the civil matter for some time, but due to Covid-19 disruptions, we could not meet the demands of the plaintiff,” Sekati said, adding that he takes this as part of his life training because he is now better and wiser.
Sekati noted that the entire matter brought his two wives closer to each other, as they fought gallantly from the same corner for his release. They also checked him twice daily to ensure that he was comfortable.
The children were however, negatively affected especially the girls and they are currently undergoing counselling. According to Sekati, all his businesses halted operations.
His advice to fellow businessmen is that it is important to respond and respect court papers as ignoring or wishing them away could spell doom for them.
“I am personally more enlightened. I understand a lot of my friends and family members are hurting and disappointed, but this is part of being an entrepreneur, I cannot avoid it,” Sekati said, further adding that business comes with taking risks.
He has been able to pay back the principal amount and is left with interest and legal fees.