EASTERN CAPE – The sole director of Themba Constructions, Thembisile Sydney Mbalo (56) was convicted and sentenced by the East London Regional Court on 07 November 2022 for contravention of the Tax Administration Act and fraud.

On 22 July 2014, Mbalo submitted fraudulent Input Value Added Tax returns for December 2013. Upon realising the discrepancies, SARS lodged a complaint with the East London based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for a probe which later revealed that SARS was prejudiced more than R233 000-00 cash.

Mbalo was arrested and released on bail. He made a series of court appearances in East London where he was ultimately sentenced on 07 November 2022. Mbalo was given five years direct imprisonment wholly suspended for five years provided he does not commit the same crime during the period of suspension.

He was further instructed to pay SARS the prejudiced amount starting from I March 2023. Mbalo is expected to pay an instalment of R33 000-00 until November 2027 when the amount will be fully paid up.

Source: South African Police Service