Potchefstroom duo accused of defrauding SARS of R260 000

The Hawks in North West are investigating a Potchefstroom duo, Thami Pheto (35) and Johanna van Niekerk (65), who are facing 19 counts of fraud amounting to R260 000. It is alleged that between 2020 and 2022, Pheto, a teacher at Botoka Technical School, collected tax certificates from colleagues to file income tax returns on their behalf through e-filing. According to Hawks North West spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, the investigation revealed that Pheto took the collected tax certificates to Van Niekerk to do the e-filing.

“Van Niekerk, who operates an internet café, allegedly manipulated the tax certificates and, as a result, the South African Revenue Service suffered a loss of R260 000,” adds Mathebula. Reports indicate that 19 persons unduly benefitted from the income tax returns filed with the assistance of the accused. Following an investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit, Pheto and Van Niekerk were arrested.

They appeared in court and were granted R5 000 bail each. Their matter has been postponed to Friday for legal representation. Breaking news at your fingertips…Follow Caxton Network News onFacebookand join ourWhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak.Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus opFacebooken sluit aan by onsWhatsApp-kanaal.