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R5.5 Million VAT fraud headache

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EASTERN CAPE –The Gqeberha based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) team of the Hawks together with National Prosecution Authority as well as South African Revenue Services (SARS) ensured that Dukuza Tunyiswa Project (PTY) Ltd and Unathi Tunyiswa (39) appeared before the Gqeberha New Law court on 3 November 2023 for allegations of fraud. Tunyiswa is one of the directors of Dukuza Tunyiswa Project PTY Ltd.

During the period between 1 January 2019 to 31 March 2022, Tunyiswa and his company allegedly unlawfully, falsely submitted 201 Value Added (VAT) Tax returns to SARS. Further allegations advocates that Tunyiswa’s intentions was to defraud SARS by submitting those returns on behalf of his company. According to the reports, the allegations exposed that Tunyiswa submitted those fraudulent returns pretending to be a true reflection of the VAT output tax calculations as well as that of the financial information of the company.

After VAT submission, SARS conducted its internal assessment before making payments. However, SARS reportedly picked some discrepancies and withheld payment. The matter was ultimately reported to Gqeberha SCCI of the Hawks for probing. The investigation revealed that SARS was nearly prejudiced a cash to an amount of over R5.5 million.

Tunyiswa was ultimately arrested by the investigation team of the Hawks on 3 November 2023 and he appeared at Gqeberha New Law court on the same day, then later released on a warning.

The matter was then remanded to 30 November 2023 for legal representation.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Mboiki Obed Ngwenya applauded the incredible efforts by the joint team in arresting the accused person and his company. That sends a robust message to those that are busy draining the country’s revenue.

Source: saps.gov.za

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