Edward Mdola Tsimane (48) who is amongst the eight accused, has been arrested by the Gauteng Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of the Hawks with the assistance of South African Revenue Services (SARS).
According to the Hawks Spokesperson Warrant Officer Wendy Nkabi the arrest effected on 06 May 2025, follows allegations of fraud, theft and contraventions of the Tax Administration Act No. 28 of 2011 (Section 234(2)(d).
Preliminary investigations indicate that SARS allegedly identified tax discrepancies during routine assessments, raising suspicions of possible alleged tax evasion claimed by a tax practitioner, Halaire Donaatien Foula under his company Clara Prime centre. The matter was referred to the Hawks for further investigation.
Further investigation revealed that Foula added more information/invoices without the knowledge of the clients in order for SARS to pay more money thereafter he would demand gratification from his clients. SARS suffered an actual loss of R203 069.00.
The accused made his first court appearance on 05 May 2025 and he was granted bail R2000. He is scheduled to make his second court appearance at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on 8 May 2025.