A Gansbaai wedding planner has been arrested and charged with two counts of fraud after allegedly scamming several clients and disrupting their wedding plans.
Bonita Swart of Gansbaai is facing two counts of fraud in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court.
The National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that Swart appeared in court last week.
Ntabazalila said: “She is charged with two counts of fraud. The case has been postponed until 10 September 2026 for a formal bail application.”
This comes after a number of complaints about her business surfaced last year and fraud cases were opened against her.
The Elsies River couple, Shiney Richardson and Rudy Koopstadt, had their dream wedding plans at the Ou Stal wedding venue in Stellenbosch shattered after they allegedly lost R48 000.
The couple was planning to tie the knot on 1 August 2026, and after meeting with wedding planner Swart, they were quoted R53 000.
More couples come forward
However, because she was running a Black Friday special, they got a R5 000 discount and paid R48 000.
Richardson explained at the time: “The deal was initially for R53 000, which includes decor, venue, food, a free photo booth, and greenery, as well as bulbs.
“Bonita advised that if we pay her in full, she will give us the bar for free and a discount of R5 000.
“We signed the contract and paid.
“In December, we found out via social media that she had claimed bankruptcy. When we called her, she stated it was true, and there was nothing she could do.”
Following Swart’s announcement, more couples have come forward claiming that Bonita took off with their money as well.
When contacted in April, the wedding planner said: “We agreed that I would make monthly payments, but I asked Shiney to give me time because I am not working at the moment.”
“My business went bankrupt.
“I spoke to the other couples as well and said that as soon as I get on my feet, I will start paying everyone back.”
Richardson and Koopstadt opened a case of fraud at Pinelands police station.
Police spokesperson Thembakazi Mpendukana confirmed: “A fraud case was opened at Pinelands SAPS in February 2026, and the docket has been transferred to the Senior Public Prosecutor for a decision.”
