| 2024/12/03 |
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Media Statement MPUMALANGA – Andries Mazwisiza Bhayi (45), was arrested and added as the ninth accused by the Nelspruit based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, National Prosecution Authority and South African Revenue Services on Friday 29 November 2024, for fraud, contravention of Section 235 (1)(a) of Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011 and contravention of Section 4,5 and 6 read with Section 1,7, and 8 of Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998. The accused was arrested, charged, and detained and appeared at the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 02 December 2024. The accused was granted R3000 bail and the case was postponed to 26 February 2025. The arrest follows after the suspect through his bookkeeper Tommy Masango (main accused in this matter) unlawfully and intentionally defrauded South African Revenue Services by submitting false Personal Tax Return to SARS well knowingly that the documents he submitted was fictitious or fraudulent with the intention to misrepresent SARS to pay undue refunds to them in the contravention of Section 235 (1)(a) of the Tax Administration Act, Act 28 of 2011. SARS suffered prejudice to the value of R776 453.00 as combined with that of other accused. The return was for the years 2014, 2015, and 2016 financial years. The case emanates from investigations conducted by SARS for personal income tax whereby the main perpetrator (bookkeeper) submitted personal income tax on behalf of 11 other persons. They submitted false documents in the form of medical invoices and false documents purporting to be bank proof of payments to substantiate the false claim to declare false information on the tax return. They stood to receive undue refunds. Due to their actions and that of their bookkeeper, SARS suffered prejudice to the value of R779 617.63. The case was transferred to the Hawks for further investigation. Investigation was finalised and warrant of arrest were authorised and executed on seven suspects on 15 October 2024 and the eighth accused was arrested on 23 November 2024. The accused were charged accordingly. The seven accused appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrates Court on the same day and they were released on R3 000-00 bail each. Matter was postponed to 26 November 2024 whereby accused eight was arrested and appeared in court at the same day and released on R3000 bail. The ninth accused was arrested on Friday, 29 November 2024, charged, detained and appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate Court on Monday, 02 December 2024, and the case for all eight accused was postponed to 26 February 2025 for the arrest of the two remaining suspects who also benefited out of the fraudulent money. The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Gerber applauded the collaboration of the team who ensured the finalization of the investigation which led to the arrest of the nine accused. “I am proud of the quality of the investigation produced by the Mpumalanga dedicated team. As the Hawks, we shall investigate all cases referred to us for further investigation and arrest all perpetrators without fear or favour. He concluded. Ends
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