Mbombela fraudsters found guilty and sentenced

The Nelspruit Specialised Commercial Crime Court tried and sentenced two fraudsters in two separate cases on June 1.

The first case involved Thokozani Caswell Shongwe (41).

He was the number six accused out of eight people who were arrested for contravening the Tax Administration Act.

Shongwe was charged with fraud and theft, or alternatively contravening the provisions of Section 235 of the Tax Administration Act, and money laundering.\

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Mpumalanga Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Capt Dineo Sekgotodi said in a statement that the conviction and sentencing followed a lengthy investigation by the Hawks. She said Shongwe had received R500 000 into his bank account, prejudicing the South African Revenue Services (SARS).

He was sentenced to pay a R200 000 fine or three years imprisonment of which half, R100 000, or 18 months imprisonment, was suspended for five years on condition that he is not to be convicted of same offence during the period.

Sekgotodi said Shongwe was so ordered to pay back the amount R50 000 to the South African Revenue Service. He was to pay R10 000 by Wednesday June 10 and thereafter instalments of R800 before or on the 7th of each month until the total amount is paid.

The second matter involved Pretty Sambo (31).

Sekgotodi said Sambo had received a share of R22 500 from SARS into her bank account.

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She was sentenced to pay a fine of R10 000 or two years imprisonment of which half, R5 000 or 12 months imprisonment, was suspended for five years on condition that she not be convicted on same charges of money laundering, and that she pay back R22 500 to SARS.

Sekgotodi said R5 000 had to be paid by Wednesday June 1 and R500 to be paid in instalments before or on the 7th of each month until the total amount is paid.