Devastated children and furious parents say they want answers after paying nearly R40 000 each for an overseas tour that was cancelled at the last minute yesterday, 28 November.
The Vision Sport’s web page describes it as an established and reliable sport/ academic tour operator and sport event planner that specialises in the planning and professional execution of the logistics of group travel.
This is, however, not the service that at least three teams received from this ‘service provider’. Earlier in the year, during a rugby series, boys were chosen to form part of a team that would go on a rugby tour to Argentina.
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The team was set to leave on Monday, 2 December, but yesterday parents and players were informed that the tour had been cancelled.
When parents asked for their money to be refunded, the director of Vision Sport South Africa, Michael Beyneveldt, said he was working on getting the money to refund those who had paid the fees.
As of Thursday, he said, his company was no longer operating and would file for business rescue.
Apart from the 18 boys who geared up to leave for Argentina on Monday, Beyneveldt has confirmed at least two other tours – a Noordvaal tour and another hockey tour – had also been cancelled. .
He admitted that the amount to be refunded was at least R1,2 million and said that he would ensure the money is paid back, although it might take some time.
In the meantime the parents not only want answers, they want the R38 000 back they had paid for their child to go on tour.
If you were one of those affected by this sad state of affairs, or if you know someone who has been affected, please contact News journalist, Natasha Pretorius at natashap@caxton.co.za to assist us with our investigation.
