Ramaesela Martha Mphahlele (43) was arrested by the Middelburg-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit on Thursday as the second accused in a SARS fraud investigation.

Her arrest comes on the back of Daniel Maluleke’s incarceration and consequent appearance in the Vaalbank Magistrate’s Court last Friday.

A bench warrant was issued for Mphalele’s arrest following an investigation by the Hawks.

Mphahlele registered with SARS as a value-added tax vendor. She was further registered as a practitioner on SARS’ e-filing services.

Mphahlele allegedly colluded with Maluleke to submit value-added tax returns to SARS using different VAT reference numbers.
Information supplied in the returns resulted in refunds being generated.

R293 958 of the refund generated was deposited into the bank accounts of both suspects.

Mphahlele and Maluleke appeared before the Vaalbank Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

Maluleke was granted R5 000 bail, while Mphahlele was released with a warning.

The court case will resume in November.