Sports tour operator defrauds school parents out of millions

When Vision Sport announced the cancellation of the tours they had organised, many parents were furious.

This resulted not only in money being lost, but children’s dreams being shattered, Krugersdorp News reports.

This was also verified by Vision Sport CEO, Michael Beyneveldt, when the media spoke to him on Friday, 29 November, while parents were gathering outside his house demanding answers.

The media asked for others who were in a similar situation to come forward and the response has not only been overwhelming, but it is sad to know that so many children have been left disappointed by these actions.

However, all the parents who came forward said they had paid in full – not only the initial amounts but also the extras such as making up the difference in the exchange rate, the visas and the required inoculations to travel abroad.

When asked what happened, and why the tours were cancelled, Beyneveldt told the media that parents had failed to pay, adding that he had no option but to close his business.

Although the consensus is that parents want their money to be paid back, most of them are just sad for their children, who cannot understand why the tours were cancelled.

One mom said they paid R40 000 per child, and that 104 girls would have gone on the hockey tour. This does not include the rugby, soccer, netball and other hockey tours planned for December.

One parent forwarded a message to the media, which Beyneveldt had allegedly sent to them on Sunday, 1 December, saying that his company had received support and that he would be able to ‘save’ the tours.

“Vision Sport will still trade as per normal and not be closed down,” said the message. It went on to say that although the tours had been ruined, an attempt would be made to have them either postponed or refund the players, “… after calculating all losses by payments made to service providers”.

Vision Sport’s web page describes it as an established and reliable sport/ academic tour operator and sports event planner that specialises in the planning and professional execution of the logistics of group travel.

Initially, the media was informed of only three tours being affected.

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.

The team was set to leave on Monday, 2 December, but parents and players were later informed that the tour had been cancelled.

When parents asked for their money to be refunded, 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, but they also want the R38 000 back they had paid for their child to go on tour.

Nonetheless, a number of parents gathered at the Krugersdorp Police Station on Friday to open cases against Beyneveldt, but in the end, it was decided that one case would be opened and that all the parents would add their affidavits to that case.

“This builds one big case against him,” said Andries de Jager, who is representing some of the parents.

He invites other parents to contact him if they are willing to add their affidavits to strengthen the case. You can contact him on 082 576 8529.