MAN CONVICTED FOR TAX EVASION

Photo: Teboho Petrus Mahlelehlele

Supplied

By: Neo Ntsele

The accused, Teboho Petrus Mahlelehlele and his company Bula Mehlo Trading & Projects CC appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on 09 December 2024 where they were convicted for contravention of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011.

A preliminary probe by the South African Revenue Services (SARS) uncovered Mahlelehlele's and his company fraudulent activities.

It was reported that the accused under declared output Value Added Tax (VAT) as well as under declared their income for Corporate Income Tax (CIT).

The incident took place during the period of 2014 until 2021.

As a result SARS was prejudiced and suffered a total loss of more than R3 million. The matter was reported to the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Bloemfontein for further investigation culminating in their conviction.

The court sentenced the company Bula Mehlo Trading to a fine of R1 million wholly suspended for five years on condition that the accused is not convicted of the same offence during the period of suspension. Mahlelehlele was sentenced to seven years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on condition that he is not convicted of the same offence during the period of suspension.

The court also ordered him to pay back an amount of R631043 on or before 30 June 2025.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks Free State Major General Mokgadi Bokaba has commended the Investigator and the Prosecutor for their unwavering efforts in ensuring that justice is served.