SARS employees nabbed for R600m fraud released on bail

Seven officials of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) who were arrested for the alleged multi-million fraud have been released on conditional bail, with their case remanded for trial next month August 12.

The suspects namely, Mogorosi Benedict Motelesi (40), Boitshoko Perseverance Mashodi (38), Elvin Wilson (40),Phakama Ndothayisa (36), Xatyiswa Zona (42), Selvin Derison (36), Motlalepule Tes Modise (38), Siphiwe Sedibeng (36), Lwazi Simelani (35) and Nomvakaliso Modolomba (33) appeared before the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court on Monday, July 15.

They were charged for fraud, money laundering, Contravention of the Tax administration Act of 2011 Contravention of customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964 and contravention of Prevention of organized Crime Act 121 of 1998.

Suspects on the wanted list of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (known as Hawks) in the Free State have been arrested for alleged multi-million fraud and is expected to appear in the Ladybrand Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

The Free State Hawks provincial spokesperson, Fikiswa Matoti said the seven SARS officials were stationed at Ficksburg Bridge, Maseru Bridge and Vanrooyenshek Bridge where they facilitated 333 transactions to the amount of R653 500 455.28.

“All identified transactions were imported consignments in bond from the Durban port of entry to be imported,” said Matoti.

All suspects were released on bail ranging between R1500 and R5000. The matter was transferred to the
Bloemfontein Regional Court for trial.