Free State businesswoman gets two years in jail for defrauding Sars over R600k

A Ladybrand-based businesswoman has been sentenced to two years in prison after found guilty of tax fraud fraud amounting to R600 000.

The Bloemfontein Magistrates Court convicted Thandi Precious Letlabika (33) and her company FNBrand 828 (Pty) Ltd for contravening the Tax Administration Act.

This is the culmination of investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Bloemfontein.

Letlabika was served with summons on 9 July 2021. She appeared in court on several occasions culminating to her recent conviction.

Captain Christopher Singo, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said a preliminary probe by the South African Revenue Services (SARS) uncovered Letlabika and her company’s fraudulent activities that cost SARS in excess of more than R600 000 during the 2019/ 2020 period.

The matter was then handed to the Hawks, which arrested the accused.

The court sentenced Letlabika to two years imprisonment wholly suspended for five years on condition that she repay SARS the total amount of R190 000 on or before 26 July 2027.

The company was fined R200 000 wholly suspended for five years.

Woman gets five-year jail time for defrauding employer R6-million

In another incident, captain Singo said an ex-employee Giselle Taylor Maritz, was sentenced to five-year imprisonment for allegedly defrauding her employer, Phatshoane Henney Attorneys of R6-million.

The court found the accused guilty of fraudulent activities, where she manipulated financial records of the company and making unlawful transfer of trust funds into her personal account and her mother’s account between 2015 and 2019.

Singo said the company was prejudiced and suffered a total loss of more than R6 million.