WITBANK – A company director and two other individuals in Mpumalanga, arrested on allegations of colluding to defraud the South African Revenue Service (SARS) of more than R1.8 million through false VAT returns, have been granted bail. They are Thandiwe Patricia Mokwena (33), director of Maps Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd, Thabiso France Motsoeneng (32), and Sfiso Doctor Mokwena (28).

The accused were granted bail of R7,000 each during their appearance before the Witbank Magistrate’s Court in Mpumalanga on Wednesday. Their appearance followed their arrests by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) unit in Mpumalanga following intensive investigations. Woman sentenced for failing to file tax returns for 13 years

In a statement, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said Mokwena and her co-accused face charges of fraud, money laundering, and violations of the Tax Administration Act. He said the investigation into the fraudulent VAT scam was ongoing, including the search for a fourth suspect.

Nkosi said the trio’s arrests followed the execution of warrants of arrest based on prima facie evidence from the investigations. He said the investigation followed a complaint lodged by SARS after the revenue service uncovered discrepancies through internal audits. Nkosi said investigations revealed Mokwena’s company, Maps Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd, was used in the alleged fraud. He said the individuals allegedly colluded when submitting fraudulent tax returns for the period 2019 to 2021.

“The company also allegedly submitted fraudulent VAT returns for the same period to claim VAT refunds from SARS. The alleged misrepresentation resulted in SARS suffering a total prejudice of R1,806,252.95,” said Nkosi. He said the State postponed the matter to 28 October, pending the arrest of the fourth suspect, who is currently on the run.