Thokozane Sunnyboy Mathebula (46) and his company, Thokothoko Boven 143, were found guilty of fraud, theft and money laundering, and sentenced by the Nelspruit Specialised Commercial Crimes Court yesterday.

He was arrested by the Nelspruit Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crimes Investigation Unit earlier the same day.

According to Hawks’ provincial spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, the sentence followed an investigation that found that from 2015 to 2017 Mathebula, referred to as accused one, submitted fraudulent tax returns to SARS. He was also registered as the sole director and signatory of the company.

“Thokothoko Boven 143, referred to as accused two, misrepresented itself by claiming value-added tax refunds, prejudicing and causing an actual loss to the revenue service to the amount of R134 658, which had been paid into the business’ account, as well as the potential loss of R860 342 that was frozen in the account.”

The investigation was finalised and an arrest warrant was authorised and executed yesterday.

Sekgotodi says Mathebula and his company were found guilty and convicted in terms of Section 112 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 and sentenced accordingly.

On the first count, Mathebula was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years on the condition that he not be convicted of fraud during that time.

He was also sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on the count of money laundering. This was also suspended for five years on the condition that he not be convicted of contravening Section 6 of the Prevention of Organised Crimes Act 121 of 1998 again during the suspension period.

Mathebula also has to pay back the actual loss of R134 658 to SARS.

Thokothoko Boven 143 was fined R200 000, wholly suspended for five years on condition that the accused/company not be convicted of fraud during that period.

The company received a second fine of R200 000, which was wholly suspended for five years on the condition that it not be convicted of money laundering again.