The National Consumer Commission (NCC) said it had obtained a preservation order against 'fugitive' travel agent, Francois Swart, who is wanted by authorities for fraud.
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.
Police also confirmed last week that a warrant for his arrest was issued following complaints lodged by Afriforum's private prosecution unit on behalf of clients duped out of tens of thousands of rands.
Mabuza said in a statement on Wednesday that the NCC investigated the complaints against Swart and found that he contravened section 47 (3) of the Consumer Protection Act.
She said this relates to the failure to refund clients their money after the holidays booked through his agency failed to materialise.
"Priority Escapes advertised travel trips to the Maldives. To confirm their bookings, consumers paid either deposits or the full amount to Maldives and received fake confirmation documents.
"Scores of consumers were made to believe that their trips to the Maldives were booked and paid for only to be advised, at the last moment, that the trips had been cancelled "due to financial challenges the agency faced," Mabuza said.
A search online for Priority Escapes takes you straight to the consumer review website 'Hello Peter' where dozens of disgruntled consumers air their views.
Meanwhile, Mabuza said the NCC was also investigating two other travel agents following complaints from disgruntled customers.
She said Kaybe Holdings and its director, Kabelo Letlhatlha, as well as Travel Plug and its director, Dudu Phatu, are being investigated for offering trips that never materialised and customers were not refunded.
The Commission received complaints from consumers alleging that Unique Kaybe Holdings took consumers' money in exchange for trips to Botswana and Namibia. The said trips were scheduled for 26-30 April 2023.
"Consumers further allege that Ms Letlhatlha informed them via different WhatsApp groups (created for different trips) that the trips were cancelled due to "her being involved in a car accident", leaving consumers frustrated.
In respect of Travel Plug, clients booked trips to various destinations including Bangkok, Dubai, Egypt, Turkey, Thailand, Kenya, Zanzibar, Mozambique, and Namibia.
"Consumers allege that they made various payments to their chosen destinations and closer to the date of the trip, they received notifications that their trips were cancelled due to "unforeseen circumstances," said Mabuza.
Endorsements
Priority Escapes endorsed several local celebrities including former Miss Universe Zozi Tunzi.
