Modimolle – Alleged holiday swindler Francois Swart appeared briefly in the Modimolle Magistrate’s Court on Friday, bringing his case one step closer to trial.
A state prosecutor told the court that the investigation into allegations of fraud in one of the cases against the travel agency boss has been completed.
Swart is the managing director of Priority Escapes accused of defrauding many would-be holiday-makers of hundreds of thousands of rand.
Two complainants, who filed a criminal complaint against Swart at the Modimolle Police Station in August last year, are being represented by the AfriForum Private Prosecutions Unit.
The unit’s intervention led to an arrest warrant for Swart being issued in early December.
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Last month, Swart was arrested and brought before the court where he was released on bail.
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On Friday, Swart’s matter was postponed for the National Prosecuting Authority to decide whether the matter should be transferred to the Regional Court for the trial to take place.
A trial date will be set after the decision is made.
Advocate Gerrie Nel, head of the AfriForum Private Prosecutions unit, commended the Modimolle police and prosecutors.
“We decided to keep this matter local and reported it to the local police station and we’re in court today, unlike the Hawks investigation,” he said.
“They were dragging their feet.
“We are very happy with the progress so far and we are very confident that on 22 March a trial date will be arranged.”
The two complainants represented by the unit, Pamela-Anne Dolan and Bug van Heerden attended the court proceedings.
Dolan said it was surreal seeing Swart in the dock.
“I have never met him before, and here is this person who has taken our money,” she said.
“It’s a bit of justice because now I know things are going to go to court and he’s not going to get away with it.”
Dolan thanked the unit for the support.
“We never had much hope to begin within, and it has progressed so quickly. And the constant support and messages from the team has really given us hope.”
