More cases against Rage 'fraudster'

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - While victims of the alleged Plett Rage accommodation fraudster are growing frustrated that the man – who they claimed conned them out of thousands of rands – is still at large almost two months after the incident; the number of cases against him is increasing.

Southern Cape police confirmed this week that so far 18 dockets have been opened relating to the student festival accommodation scam alone. Just more than a month ago only three cases had been opened.

“Pettenberg Bay police detectives are still investigating this matter. Up to date a total of 18 case dockets have been registered relating to the Plett Rage scam where Rick Havemann is implicated,” said Souther Cape police spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie.

The alleged scam made headlines when more than 50 youngsters arrived in Plett for the student festival in December to find that the accommodation they had booked and paid for was not available and the booking agent nowhere to be found.

The youngsters claimed they had booked their Plett Rage accommodation through Havemann and his company, Ethos Property Management, and paid between R3 000 and R30 000 in some instances. The incident not only left them stranded but also duped out of large sums of money.

Since news of the scam broke, several UK residents came forward claiming that they had also been duped by Havemann before he moved to South Africa about six years ago.

Some of these victims have strongly criticised police for not making an arrest.

Pojie explained that the dockets would be submitted to the senior public prosecutor in the near future. “This will be done as soon as outstanding affidavits have been obtained from some of the victims.”

He further said that the arrest has not yet been made as Havemann is believed to be abroad.

“My thoughts are that he will get away with it again and again,” said Nicola Foulkes from Chepstow, Wales. She met Havemann 10 years ago and lost more than £3 000 (R50 000) as a result of dealings with him. She said that he was never brought to book for these alleged crimes before moving to South Africa.

“I’ve tried to warn authorities about him even before the Plett Rage scam, but nothing came of it. Police appear pathetic. He has family in South Africa, so why is it so difficult to find him?” Foulkes added.

Richard Cornock from South Wales, who claims Havemann had duped him out of £13 000 in what was an investment scam, said he is also at wits' end. “It's extremely frustrating that neither the police in the UK nor South Africa can track him down,” Cornock said.

“Havemann must have access to a bank account and it should be easy to track him down. I've even thought of putting up a picture of Havemann on social media or emailing all the banks in South Africa to ask if he's a customer.”

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ARTICLE: YOLANDé STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD CORRESPONDENT

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