tax fraud SARS

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Mpumalanga man arrested by Hawks for R3 million tax fraud

According to SAPS Mpumalanga, Bongani Mkhatshwa submitted fraudulent tax documents in 2019 and prejudiced SARS R3.4 million

tax fraud SARS

Image Credit: AdobeStock

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga has confirmed that a man was arrested in connection with defrauding the South African Revenue Service (SARS) of approximately R3 million.

According to SAPS Mpumalanga spokesperson Selvy Mohlala, Bongani Mkhatshwa submitted fraudulent tax documents in 2019 and prejudiced the revenue service R3.4 million.

“It is alleged that in March 2019 the accused forged and uttered Tax return invoices to the Revenue Services and prejudiced SARS over R3.4 million. During his profiling it was discovered that the accused had an outstanding similar case where in March 2018 jointly with other accused, they fraudulently submitted forged Tax return invoices and prejudiced the Revenue Services a lot of money and were arrested on the 18 July 2022 and we’re released on bail,” Mohlala said.

MAN GRANTED BAIL ON TAX FRAUD CHARGES

According to Mpumalanga SAPS, Mkhatshwa (40) was released on R10 000 bail by the Nelspruit Magistrate Court on Friday, 7 October 2022, after he was arrested by the Hawks’ Nelspruit based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on allegations of fraud.

Both cases against him have been postponed to 3 November.

In a similar tax-related case in Mpumalanga, Sifiso Mabuza (39) handed himself over to authorities in May over a fraud and contravention of tax administration Act case against him. According to the Hawks, Mabuza was the director of Shishila Rural Trading whereby he submitted fraudulent tax returns to  South African Revenue Services (SARS) and prejudiced the receiver of revenue an amount of R28 million.