The director of APT Work and Travel, Tanya Jooste, briefly appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crime court in Pretoria yesterday, August 27.
She faces charges of fraud and theft relating to unfulfilled client bookings. She was arrested earlier this month and released on R10 000 bail.
According to court documents, Jooste is being accused of defrauding three clients who booked flights and accommodation through her agency, with a combined alleged loss of R1 million. She faces three counts of fraud, with alternative counts of theft.
Private investigator Mike Bolhuis, and his company, Specialised Security Services (SSS), are assisting additional potential victims who have shared allegations of similar issues with the agency. He said they were currently gathering evidence from more alleged victims.
Jooste made headlines for the first time last year when the SA Ice Hockey Federation had to make last-minute alternative plans for air tickets to Bosnia to compete in the 2024 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship. The team said it paid R460 000 to Jooste, but were told by the airline that tickets were never booked.
