By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former Telkom boss Sipho Maseko has been convicted as a representative of five companies that failed to submit PAYE, Value Added Tax (VAT) and corporate income tax returns.
Maseko appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 9 October 2026.
He was facing 85 counts of contravening section 234(2)(d) of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011.
He was convicted in his capacity as a director of five companies.
The companies are One Fountain Properties (Pty) Ltd, One Fountain Industries (Pty) Ltd, One Fountain Capital (Pty) Ltd, Afrifund Advisory Services (Pty) Ltd and Afrifund Investments (Pty) Ltd.
State Advocate Athenkosi Mancoba argued that Maseko and fellow director Sonwabo Mtshazo allowed the five companies to fail in submitting more than 85 tax returns across multiple years.
Mancoba told the court that this failure hampered SARS in fulfilling its mandate to administer tax effectively and collect revenue.
The entities have since submitted all their outstanding returns, which has enabled SARS to assess them.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said the entities paid an admission-of-guilt fine of R85 000.
“The matter forms part of Project Honey Badger, a government initiative led by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Sars and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI),” Mohlatlole said.
The project aims to improve tax compliance by prosecuting individuals and entities that fail to meet their statutory tax obligations.”
Prior to joining Vodacom which was his launchpad to Telecommunications group Telkom, Maseko held the position of CEO of BP Southern Africa, since 2008.