A Cape Town businessman has appeared in court after allegations he defrauded a Dutch company of over R1 million in a grape export deal, according to iol.co.za.

Francois Heyns, 40, was reportedly arrested on Wednesday after a complaint by the Fresh Produce Exporters Forum, a voluntary association regulating the fresh produce export market.

He is alleged to have defrauded Dutch importer, Greenbox, of R1.13m between August 2003 and June 2004.The amount is said to have been a cash advance requested by Heyns to secure a consignment of European export-quality grapes from a single producer, as well as to cover the cost of producing packaging bearing Greenbox's "Greenstar" trademark.

However, it is alleged, the grapes Heyns sourced and sold on Greenbox's behalf, which ended up in the Middle East, did not in fact meet the European standard.

After his arrest, Heyns appeared before a Bellville magistrate who granted him R10 000 bail and ordered he surrender his passport.

Commenting on the arrest, Western Cape head of crime-fighting agency the Scorpions Adrian Mopp said: "This arrest is the first step against Mr Heyns, in what we believe will result in a successful prosecution.

"This prosecution is important for our organisation since the fresh produce export industry is an important component of our economy, and rogue traders cannot be allowed to tarnish the industry and South Africa's reputation in world markets."

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