Staff Reporter.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, have pounced on seven suspects involved in tax fraud more than R650 million.
The suspects, who are former and current SARS customs employees, pretended to have cleared exports from the Durban port to Lesotho.
An investigation found that over 300 textile cargo transactions were cleared, but the consignments were not moved at Ficksburg, Van Rooyenshek and Maseru border posts.
The four women and three men were nabbed in Limpopo, Gauteng, Free State and Eastern Cape this week.
“These workers have been investigated and found to have intentionally defrauded SARS by pretending or purporting to have cleared exports when in actual fact, that did not happen. Those exports were kept within the country,” said SARS spokesperson Siphithi Sibeko.
“Five of them were found guilty by the disciplinary committee of the South African Revenue Service and dismissed. Two of those resigned before the matter could be decided.
“The other two, one was given a warning and others that are remaining, are still to face a disciplinary hearing.”
Suspects are expected to appear before the Ladybrand Magistrates’ Court on Monday on charges of fraud and money laundering.
Other charges include contravention of the Tax Administration Act, the Customs and Excise Act and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
Last month, a mother and her daughter from Mpumalanga were charged for defrauding Sars of more than R90 000.
Mary Joyce Mlangeni and Ntombizodwa Siphesihle Thompson were arrested and charged with fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act.
It is alleged that during March 2015, Mlangeni and her 34-year-old daughter submitted false information and fraudulent tax returns to Sars in March 2015.
Meanwhile the Hawks splashed out R50,000 on a luxurious academic gown and velvet cap for top cop Godfrey Lebeya, as the crime-fighting outfit faces a cash crisis and soaring unemployment rate, which has seen organized crime flourish.
No expense was spared in her stunning cashmere and velvet robe, replete with gold tassels imported from Italy and finished with gold details. Each tassel costs R1,500, with gold paisley embellishments added at R2,500 per metre.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.