MPUMALANGA: Tommy Masango (49), Maria Siyaphi Mkhondo (48), Helen Hlophe (41), Lucky Fakude (42), Fathi Cynthia Ndlovu (46), Helen Makhosazane Mabuza (44), Thembekile Desiree Makuwa (43), Nokuthula Dorothy  Mdodana (41) were arrested by the Hawks Nelspruit based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on Tuesday, 15 October 2024,  for fraud, contravening the provisions of Section 235(1)(a) of the Tax Administration Act, Act 28 of 2011 and Section 4,5 and 6 read with Section 1,7 and 8 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 21 of 1998.

It is alleged that, during 2014, 2015 and 2016 tax period, the listed accused unlawfully and intentionally submitted false personal income tax returns through the bookkeeper Tommy Masango. Masango was submitting on behalf of the other accused fraudulent documents to the South African Revenue Services with the intentions to misrepresent in order for SARS to pay undue tax refunds. The Revenue Service suffered predudice to the value of R776 453.00.

All eight accused appeared before the  Nelspruit Magistrates court on Tuesday, 15 October 2024 and were granted R3000.00 bail each. Their matter was postponed to 26 November 2024

Enquiries: Warrant Officer Thandi Tshabalala

082 303 9759