Cape Town - Two women who face over 80 counts of fraud related to a Thailand trip for pensioners that never materialised will remain behind bars until their bail application is heard next month.
Beneta Jansen and Prudence November are accused of collecting R1.9 million from their victims.
The pair appeared in the Somerset West Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The State prosecutor said: “It is alleged the accused before court have a company by assisting with trips to overseas countries, which turned out to be fictitious. Victims came forward after they paid in monies as they were supposed to go to Thailand and they have not gone on the trips. The companies have been registered in their names.”
The State said it was a schedule 5 offence as the amount is more than R100000, and the bail is opposed.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said: “The State alleges that they posted on social media about a trip to Thailand for R26000 per person, which was never realised. Potential fraud amounts to R1 916 750. Their case has been remanded until December 4 for bail application. They remain in custody.”
Police spokesperson, Malcolm
Pojie, said: “When the victims realised that the trip was not going to materialise, they reported it to different police stations across the country as far as Gauteng, Northern Cape, Eastern Cape and Western Cape. The cases were centralised in the Western Cape and upon completion the suspects were interviewed and were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation of what happened to the money.
“The two suspects were subsequently arrested at their residences in Strand on Friday. They were detained on charges related to fraud, theft and money laundering in terms of sections 4 and 5 of Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004.”
Outside court, victim Lenet Faviers said the accused should remain behind bars if she was not reimbursed.
“This would have been my first trip with Prudence. I heard about it from a friend. She forwarded me the poster of Prudence, and that is why I contacted her, but she didn’t inform me about Beneta.
“My family was very disappointed and now I will never trust anybody (travel agents) again.”
Percival Petersen said Jansen’s husband introduced him to Thailand.
“We went to her place and her husband gave a presentation of the trip.
“They said they had many other trips before and we thought because we knew many people who are upstanding citizens...
“We then gave them our R10000 deposit, in the end, eight of our family members signed up.”
November’s sister said: “All I know is, I know my sister, and I know she didn’t do whatever the people are accusing her of. She must get bail, God-willing she will get bail.” November previously told the Cape Argus everything was with her lawyer and the police.
Cape Argus