The MD of Fourways-based travel agency Priority Escapes is in hot water after a warrant for his arrest was issued in Modimolle.

Francois Swart (39) is accused of defrauding clients out of hundreds of thousands of rands, says Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba of the Limpopo police.

It is alleged that Swart received full payments from clients and that he then issued fake documents to make it seem like their holidays were booked and paid for.

Police ask anyone who might know where Swart is to contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Gawie Greef, on 082 565 7800.

Information can also be conveyed by calling Crime Stop on 08600 10111, going to the nearest police station or using the MySAPS app.

Family left stranded at airport

Several complaints against the company appear on the consumer review website Hello Peter.

The allegations against Priority Escapes include several people losing around R150 000 each that they paid for holidays, would-be honeymooners losing both cash and their dream trip, and families left stranded at airports in foreign countries.

One complainant writes: “We lost R159 000. Our wedding is in 59 days and we are left with no money or honeymoon.”

Another complainant said they are a family of 10 who booked their holiday through Priority Escapes. They later realised that the flight they booked no longer existed and had to pay in extra money to fly a different route to their holiday destination. When they arrived in the Maldives, they were informed that neither of the two hotels they thought they were booked into for two weeks were paid for.