MODIMOLE – A significant step towards justice has been made in the ongoing fraud case against Francois Swart, managing director of the travel agency Priority Escapes. Swart stands accused of swindling numerous aspiring vacationers out of substantial sums of money.
A state prosecutor revealed in the Modimolle Magistrates Court today that the fraud investigation into Swart has concluded. Swart appeared briefly in court before his case was postponed until March 22nd. At that time, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will decide if the case warrants moving to the Regional Court for trial. A trial date is anticipated following the NPA’s decision.
The investigation was instigated by two complainants, Pamela-Anne Dolan and Bug van Heerden, who filed a criminal complaint against Swart with the Modimolle Police Station in August of last year. Swart’s arrest warrant was issued in December after intervention by AfriForum’s private prosecution unit.
Adv. Gerrie Nel, head of the AfriForum unit, praised the efforts of the Modimolle police and prosecutors. “We are very happy with the progress so far and we are very confident that on 22 March a trial date will be arranged,” he stated.
Dolan, one of the complainants, expressed relief upon seeing Swart in the dock. “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,” she said.
Tags: AfriForum Francois Swart Holiday Swindler