MPUMALANGA – Four accused, Klaas Maponya Thokwane (56), Entity Real Tjoughts Trading, Wendy Mkhatshwa (46) and Vusi Mdluli (40) were found guilty and sentenced by the Nelspruit Regional Court on Tuesday, 26 April 2022 for Fraud and Contravention of Tax Administration Act. It was reported that in March 2019 the accused unlawfully submitted fraudulent Tax Returns to SARS and received R417 000.00 from SARS.

The accused were sentenced as follows:

Accused: 1 Klaas Maponya Thokwane, was found guilty and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and wholly suspended for 5 years on condition that he compensate SARS an amount to the value of R293 377.23

Accused: 2 Entity Real Tjoughts Trading, it was found guilty on two counts of Contravention of Section 6 of Tax Admin Act and sentenced to a fine of R100 000.00 which is wholly suspended for a period of 5 years on condition that it is not found guilty on charges of fraud

Accused: 3 Wendy Mkhatshwa was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment which is wholly suspended for a period of 5 years on condition that she pays SARS an amount of R114 000.00

Accused: 4 Vusi Mdluli was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment which is wholly suspended for a period of 5 years on condition that he is not found guilty on fraud and money laundering.

The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Major General Zodwa Mokoena applauded the investigating officer and Judiciary for the successful investigation and good sentence. Major General Mokoena further warned the public to refrain from submitting fraudulent documents to SARS and claiming money knowingly that they don’t deserve. She further said that the monies that are been defrauded are taxes paid by employees who are working hard to boost the economy of the Republic and not to nourish criminals, she concluded.

Source: South African Police Service