A couple now residing in the Eastern Cape is facing multiple criminal charges of tax fraud amounting to R75 million. The pair, Jessica Marieka Janse Van Nieuwenhuys (36) and Petrus Willem Janse Van Nieuwenhuys (35), were arrested in Gqeberha by the Welkom Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team.
Their case was postponed to 27 June following an appearance in the Kroonstad District Court on Tuesday, 27 May. The case is the culmination of probing by the Hawks and the South African Revenue Service (Sars), following the discovery of discrepancies in the couple’s tax returns between 2018 and 2022.
Mojalefa Senokoatsane, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Free State and Northern Cape, said the duo are facing numerous charges of value-added tax (VAT) fraud and money laundering. “In counts one to 26, the state alleges that the two accused unlawfully and with the intent to defraud, gave out and misrepresented to the Commissioner of Sars that the VAT returns for the tax periods submitted on behalf of the vendors/entities, represented the trading activities of the said vendors/entities, and that the said vendors/entities were entitled to VAT refunds claimed.
Petrus Willem Janse Van Nieuwenhuys
“In counts 27 to 155, accused one is alleged to have unlawfully and with the intent to evade the payment of tax levied or to obtain any refund of tax to which the accused were not entitled, or with the intent to assist any other person to evade the payment of tax payable by such person or to obtain any refund of tax. In counts 156 to 362, the accused are also facing charges of money laundering,” said Senokoatsane.
Charges against the couple include fraud, contravention of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011, and money laundering. “The revenue service was prejudiced of R45 Million and suffered potential prejudice to the public purse amounting to R75 million,” said Senokoatsane.
Col. Zweli Mohobeleli, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the couple resided in the Free State at the time of committing the crime. He said further probing revealed that Jessica, an accountant, was responsible for bookkeeping of four freight companies based in Parys.
“She allegedly submitted fraudulent tax returns on behalf of these companies. In addition, she submitted further fraudulent returns on behalf of her husband who was, at the time, employed by a company doing projects at different mines. The monies were slithered between different bank accounts,” said Mohobeleli.
The court granted the couple bail of R50 000 each and remanded the matter to 27 June for representation of attorney.
