Anthonie Bougas is a ‘wanted person’ – private investigator

Anthonie Bougas is a “wanted person,” and his “ongoing communication” with the media is “absurd.” This is according to Mike Bolhuis, specialist investigator from Specialised Security Services (SSS). “He is a very smug, arrogant, spoiled brat.”

Anthonie Bougas, founder of the now-liquidated KleuterZone pre-school group, recently claimed in Netwerk24 that he is in Canada. He says he wants to provide his family with a “first-world standard of living.” He allegedly fled the country to Thailand in February after Ryk van Niekerk from Moneyweb began asking questions about the sustainability of the KleuterZone concept amid comparisons to a Ponzi scheme.

Bolhuis says Anthonie Bougas is now deliberately trying to distract investigators tracking him by spreading false narratives in the media. “He spends all day on his phone, watching what is written about him. He reads everything in the media, everything we say. But he must know this: our networks extend across the globe and we also work with Interpol. He is a wanted person. Our opinion is he is in Thailand and got a fright.”

Anthonie Bougas playing the victim

While Bougas pretends he is creating a better life for his family, he does not spare a moment’s thought for the people whose savings he misused to flee, says Bolhuis. “Those people have lost their quality of life, they have suffered financially, their retirement plans are ruined and their dreams have collapsed. Some people invested millions of rands with him. People on this side have lost everything, and the consequences are astronomical,” says Bolhuis.

“It is extremely cowardly that someone who clearly knows what he did still tries to present himself publicly as a victim. He simply took people’s money and used it for drinking and gambling. I don’t even want to know what else he’s doing in his personal life.”

Very ‘stupid’

Bolhuis explains that Anthonie Bougas likely uses virtual phone numbers and other technology to pretend he is in another country. “We see this daily – people use these methods to hide their location. He uses these numbers to commit crimes, including threats against individuals in South Africa, but the offence actually occurs from the country where he is located,” says Bolhuis.

“What he doesn’t realise is that when you’re in a specific country and commit a crime from there, you are also prosecuted there. The charges against him are mounting and extend beyond South Africa. The technology (to pretend you’re elsewhere) is something even children use to prank their friends,” says Bolhuis. He believes Bougas is “very stupid” to think he will get away with this.

Pattern already seen

There are already several criminal charges against Bougas, as well as his brother, John. Bolhuis says charges against the two include extortion, violent threats and involvement with an armed group – allegedly foreigners – who showed up at clients’ homes to demand money. “Even my team and I have been threatened. This story is not just going to disappear. We will catch him. If he returns now and cooperates, he might have a chance at bail. But if he’s caught first, that chance is gone. Then he’s going to prison – no bail.”

Charges piling up

Other charges include fraud, violating the Cybercrime Act and likely soon also money laundering. “He misrepresented himself to people: ‘Give me your money, it’s safe.’ But he used it for himself – and that’s theft. That’s the essence of a Ponzi scheme. The truth is: he’s a smug, arrogant and extremely selfish individual. That’s how we profile him. He thinks he’s untouchable, that he always has the upper hand, that he’s smarter than everyone, including the authorities,” says Bolhuis.

“He’s insensitive and firmly believes he is right and the rest of the world is wrong.” Bolhuis points out that this mindset is common among individuals involved in Ponzi schemes and financial crimes. “We’ve seen this pattern before – Louis Liebenberg did exactly the same with his videos, comments and contemptuous behaviour. And look where he is now: in Pretoria Central Prison,” says Bolhuis.

Illusion crumbling, money running out

The “illusion” is starting to crumble, believes Bolhuis. “His behaviour follows a pattern of manipulation, fraud and exploitation. People with this type of character use others on the path to self-enrichment. He lies, steals, threatens and deliberately builds friendships purely to gain resources and protection while on the run. But the money is running out and then the illusion starts to fall apart. The ‘friends’ disappear and he ends up alone in a foreign country, constantly looking over his shoulder.” There are already indications that Bougas’ health is deteriorating. “Prison awaits and that’s no joke. Being on the run is not natural for a human being. It catches up with you: your health, emotional state, finances and ultimately your soul. He thinks he’s free, but that freedom is an illusion.”

Still has a chance to explain

“The only realistic way out is to surrender himself to South African authorities. We are already working with international security authorities in various countries to track Bougas.” There is also evidence that Bougas may have disguised himself, used cash, and during the final months in South Africa worked intensely to raise as much money as possible through illegal and intimidating means, says Bolhuis. He believes Bougas likely changed his appearance drastically, possibly shaved his hair, used makeup or even a wig – and deliberately avoids anything that might attract attention.

He also travels with forged documents and is likely using a different name. “The only way he will ever regain public respect is by returning, answering the questions, and if he’s innocent, clearing his name. He says the truth will come out in court – then he should defend himself in court. But on the path he’s on now, he is dragging his entire family’s name through the mud – and the internet doesn’t forget. He’s a coward. It’s tragic to hear how many people knew Bougas’ grandfather and father. Men who were honourable, respected members of their communities. He is not just tarnishing his own name, but the entire Bougas family name – and people will remember that.”

Friends can also be charged

Bolhuis says there are mechanisms through which Interpol and law enforcement agencies across countries can track people down. “Our networks across the world are very strong. We work with local and international structures like banks, hospitals and other institutions. He might think he’s safe, but it’s only a matter of time. Any person assisting Anthonie or his brother is making themselves complicit in a crime. Look at the Liebenberg case – everyone who was arrested with him. We’ve been working on that case for seven years. All of them will receive prison sentences, neither Louis nor Desi will get bail. Anthonie’s only option is to return of his own accord. We will treat him fairly.”

Bombshell over Kleuterzone

KleuterZone promised annual returns of 62.5%. The company was placed under final liquidation on 14 May 2025 and is being investigated as a Ponzi scheme. Anthonie Bougas himself has since been sequestrated. The liquidators of KleuterZone have also filed an application to sequestrate the estate of Bougas’ parents, Rensche and Anton. They allege that the parents acted together with their son to conceal and move funds from the company.

Nuusflits directed questions to Bougas but has received no response. Read more about the ongoing KleuterZone saga here.

SSS can be contacted here. SSS specialises in investigations of serious violent, economic and cyber crimes.