MPUMALANGA — Thobile Hemalt Malandole (33) and Ngizimane Thomas Mabuza (46) appeared before the Elukwatini Magistrates’ court on Wednesday, 25 October 2023 for fraud, theft or alternatively contravening the provisions of Section 235 (1)(a) of the Tax Administration Act, Act 28 of 2011 and Contravening Section 6 read with Sections 1 & 8 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, Act 121 of 1998 – money laundering.
Their appearance is subsequent to their arrest by the Hawks’ Nelspruit based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, as additional accused on the case whereby other family members were arrested on the 11 October 2023. They were released on R2000 bail and the court ordered for the arrest of the two.
It is alleged that during March 2018, the accused were beneficiaries who benefited undue funds from the South African Revenue Service, that were paid into the business account of Mabuza Mshengu Construction cc then transferred into their personal bank accounts.
It is further alleged that the company which is Mabuza Mshengu Construction cc submitted fraudulent tax returns for foreign tax credits to the South African Revenue Service claiming undue funds through misrepresentation. Payments were made to the company’s ABSA business account, then transferred into the two accused personal bank accounts prejudicing and causing an actual loss to the revenue service to the amount of R 203 771.99.
The matter was reported to the Hawks’ Nelspruit based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for further probe. During investigation, it was discovered that the two accused together with other beneficiaries benefited from the SARS payout. The court was approached and a warrant of arrest was authorised then executed on 11 October 2023 when three accused including the company were arrested. Further investigation led to the arrest of the two accused on 25 October 2023.
The accused were released on R2000.00 bail each and the matter was transferred to Middelburg Specialized Commercial Crimes Court where it was postponed to 04 November 2023.
Source: saps.gov.za