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Media Statement FREE STATE – Jessica Marieka Janse Van Niewenhuys (35) and her husband, Petrus Janse Van Niewenhuys (36) appeared before the Free State Division of the High Court of South Africa, Bloemfontein where Jessica was found guilty of fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act. The couple was arrested in Gqeberha on 27 May 2024 by the Welkom Serious Commercial Crime Investigation. Investigations conducted by the Welkom based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation proved that, during the period between 2018 and 2022, Jessica, who was responsible for bookkeeping of four companies based in Parys, submitted fraudulent tax returns on behalf of these companies. She further submitted fraudulent returns on behalf of her husband, who was at the time employed by a company doing projects at different mines. As a result of the fraud committed, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) suffered a loss amounting to over R9 million. The court found Jessica Marieka Janse Van Niewenhuys guilty of 181 counts of fraud and 38 counts of money laundering. All counts were taken together for the purpose of sentencing, resulting in 12 years imprisonment. She was declared unfit to possess a firearm. All the charges against Petrus Janse Van Niewenhuys were withdrawn. Free State Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Major General Mokgadi Bokaba welcomes the sentencing. She also commends all the parties involved for ensuring a lengthy sentence that will send a stern message to other criminals. “A process to recoup what was benefited from this crime is underway,” she said. Ends
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