1Min
South Africa
Dec 23, 2025
Travel agent Premila Shunmugam has been granted R100,000 bail, following her arrest on charges of defrauding holidaymakers out of millions of rands. The owner of Silver Touch Events and Travel appeared before the court on several occasions this week, amid emotional scenes as her victims packed the courtroom, desperate for justice.
Travel agent Premila Shunmugam has been granted R100,000 bail by the Pretoria Magistrates' Court, following her arrest on charges of defrauding holidaymakers out of millions of rands. The owner of Silver Touch Events and Travel appeared before the court on several occasions this week, amid emotional scenes as her victims packed the courtroom, desperate for justice.
It has been reported that at least 50 families claim to have deposited cash into her account, but there were no bookings and no flights.
Shunmugam faces serious allegations involving R5 million in fraudulent activities that have devastated families who trusted her with their holiday dreams. The proceedings began on Tuesday, continuing into Wednesday and Thursday, December 17th and 18th, 2025, before being postponed to Friday, December 19th, leaving her in custody for an additional day.
The delay has compounded the anguish for numerous families with their hearts set on unforgettable trips, including sacred umrah pilgrimages. Many victims have come forward, revealing they spent between R130,000 and R260,000 on travel packages that were later cancelled without any refunds. What was once a source of joy has turned into heart-wrenching disappointment as families now face spending the festive season without the holiday they had eagerly anticipated.
In the courtroom, a sentiment of despair lingered as Shunmugam's alleged victims listened intently during her bail hearing. ‘Christmas has already been taken from us,’ one victim lamented, highlighting the emotional toll the ordeal has taken on families who saved diligently to make their travel dreams a reality. The anguish was palpable as they hoped the court would consider the profound impact of Shunmugam’s actions, and deny her the opportunity to reoffend.
The case against Shunmugam centres around multiple allegations of repeat fraud, each one adding layers to this complex narrative of betrayal and heartbreak. For those who placed their trust in a service meant to facilitate joyous experiences, the realities of being left empty-handed loom large, making this holiday season a stark reminder of lost hopes.
As the case develops, these families remain vigilant, anxiously advocating for accountability and justice, hoping Shunmugam’s bail does not allow her the freedom to negatively impact more lives.
