MPUMALANGA – Daniel Maluleka (56), was remanded in custody by Vaalbank Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 27 September 2024, for fraud.
This follows after the investigation was carried forward by the Hawks Middelburg based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, whereby it was revealed that the accused, Daniel Maluleka, was registered with the South African Revenue Services as a value added tax vendor. He was further registered with the SARS e-filing services. Maluleka colluded with two other suspects who are still to be arrested. They submitted value added tax returns for the different VAT reference numbers to SARS and information was supplied in the returns resulting in refund being generated to the amount of R 293 958.33. The refund generated was deposited into the accused (Maluleka) Capitec bank account. SARS suffered actual prejudice in the sum of R 293 958.
Investigation was finalised, and a J50 warrant was authorised and executed on Friday.
The accused was arrested, charged, and appeared in court. He was remanded in custody. The case was postponed to Monday, 30 September 2024, for bail application, pending the arrest of the other two suspects.
Investigation continues.
What is Fraud? “Fraud” is any activity that relies on deception in order to achieve a gain. Fraud becomes a crime when it is a “knowing misrepresentation of the truth or concealment of a material fact to induce another to act to his or her detriment” (Black’s Law Dictionary). In other words, if you lie in order to deprive a person or organization of their money or property, you’re committing fraud.