Non retrurn of deposit

I am sharing this with you hoping that no one else has this experience with Tony Lehy from Blouberg Beach Retreat. My friend paid a deposit for above accomodation on 1 November 2022, which was 50% for accomodation for 10 days. The money was transferred to Tony's personal account and not Blouberg Beach Retreat. My friend was paying the balance when he arrived on the 22nd of December. Tony never sent a receipt or contract. We asked him for this, but he never sent anything, he just confirmed the dates on whatsapp. Tony cancelled the booking 3 days before we had to leave for Cape Town and said he would refund the deposit once the unit had been resold. My friend told him it doesn't work this way and the money must be transferred. He even sent Tony a letter of demand from a lawyer. The letter stated that Tony had to refund the deposit within 10 days after receiving the letter. My friend received a horrible message from Tony, saying he is glad that we aren't coming to Cape Town and that he is not scared on lawyers and that his family all advocates. Tony phoned my friends lawyer and wanted to know how much the letter had cost him.Tony then sent another message where he promised to refund the money. My friend still hasn't received his deposit. Watch our for Tony.