Bloem fashion creative director to pay for tax offence

The Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court has slapped a prominent Bloemfontein fashion creative director Candida Crystal Smith (46) with a suspended imprisonment sentence after finding her guilty of tax offences. The sentence also entails a option to either pay a fine of R300 000 or three-years imprisonment.The well-known, award-winning creative entrepreneur Smith, also known as Candy, was sentenced on Friday, 2 February. Her sentencing is the culmination of an investigation by the Bloemfontein Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team and the South African Revenue Service (Sars).“Smith was found guilty and sentenced for fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011. An investigation revealed that she submitted false returns for the tax period 2019 to 2020, resulting in Sars suffering a loss of about R472 701. She was also ordered to repay the remaining amount by 2029,” said Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks. He said the sentence was wholly suspended for five years with the condition Smith is not found guilty of a similar offence during the period in question. Mohobeleli said the revenue service reported the matter in January last year with Smith making her first court appearance in October. Smith is the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Free State Fashion Week, held annually in Bloemfontein. She founded the glamourous fashion project in 2016 and has successfully hosted a series of events showcasing fashion trends. The event provides a platform for emerging designers from sidelined small towns in the Free State. Her creative ability has seen her successfully transform the project into a reputable brand over the years.