Modimolle 'holiday swindler' arrested for R130K 'scam'
Limpopo police have confirmed the arrest of suspected holiday swindler Francois Swart, who owns Johannesburg-based travel agency Priority Escapes.
A warrant of arrest was issued in December last year for Swart after he allegedly defrauded holidaymakers out of some R130 000.
The 39-year-old appeared in the Modimolle Magistrate's Court on 29 December, and he was released on R6,000 bail.
"The suspect allegedly received full payment from the complainants for him to fulfil holiday arrangements on their behalf." Limpopo police spokesperson Hlulani Mashaba.
"The misrepresentation was furthered when the suspect issued documents purporting that the holiday was arranged and paid in full. It has since been confirmed that the documents the complainants received were false."
The case has been postponed to 23 February.
Meanwhile, lobby group AfriForum, which represents two of the complainants, says it will be closely monitoring the developments and provide support to the police and the NPA if needed.
"Although the conditions of his release on bail have not yet been established, AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit is satisfied that the legal process to hold him accountable for his alleged offences is underway.
"Pamela-Anne Dolan and Bugs van Heerden say they are encouraged that the police have acted on their complaint. But, they have accepted that they will not recover the R130 000 they paid to Swart for a holiday that never materialised."
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