The Director of the travel agency 'Priority Escape', also known as the holiday swindler has been arrested.
Francois Swart who allegedly defrauded several would-be holidaymakers out of hundreds of thousands of rand for trips to the Maldives, was arrested in Modimolle on the 28th of December.
Afriforum's Private Prosecution Unit first alerted the media about Swart's alleged crimes as two of his alleged victims came forward with allegations that Swart received full payments, only to dish out false documents and then become unreachable.
A spokesperson for the Unit Barry Bateman says the law has finally caught up with Swart, months after criminal complaints were filed against him.
Swart made his first appearance in the Modimolle Magistrates Court on 28 December when he was granted bail.
Bateman says his bail conditions have not yet been established but they will keep a close eye on the case as Swart will be back in court on the 23rd of February.
He is alleged to have duped people out of hundreds of thousands of Rands.
Just eight days before his arrest, the National Consumer Commission (NCC) said it had obtained a preservation order against a 'fugitive' travel agent.
NCC spokesperson, Thezi Mabuza, said the forfeiture order was obtained in conjunction with the National Prosecuting Authority to freeze funds in accounts held by Swart and his company, Priority Escapes.
She said the NCC investigated the complaints against Swart and found that he contravened section 47 (3) of the Consumer Protection Act.
A search online for Priority Escapes takes you straight to the consumer review website 'Hello Peter' where dozens of disgruntled consumers aired their views.
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.
Priority Escapes endorsed several local celebrities including former Miss Universe Zozi Tunzi.
