TRIO APPEARED IN COURT FOR TAX RELATED OFFENSES

 Photo: Lerato Michael Mphana

Supplied

By: Neo Ntsele

On Thursday, 14 November 2024, three accused, Lerato Michael Mphana 38, Phumelele Mbatha 30, and Mahlomola Jeremia Makae 37, appeared before the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on charges of fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act.

It is alleged that the South African Revenue Services (SARS) assigned an internal investigator to probe the accused for possible tax offenses.

Photo: Phumelele Mbatha

Supplied

The outcome of the investigation revealed that during the Tax period 2018 and 2020, the accused committed fraud and contravened the Tax Administration Act by submitting false VAT 201 returns to SARS either by under declaring or not declaring output on VAT.

Photo: Mahlomola Jeremia Makae

Supplied

As a result SARS was prejudiced and suffered a total loss to the amount of R39 858 872. 29. 

A case docket was registered then referred to the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation in Bloemfontein for further investigation, culminating in the arrest of the three accused. 

Mphana, Mbatha and Makae were each granted R1500. 00 bail and the matter postponed to 03 February 2025 for Regional Court appearance.