A Director and Accountant nabbed for defrauding SARS


By OBAKENG MAJE

22 July 2025- The Director of Gaptu Project Management & Construction, Gabriel Nare Nkgweng (53) and Accountant from Tseba Business Accountants, Tsekiso Moloi (43), briefly appeared before the Tlhabane Magistrate’s Court facing 13 counts of fraud and 8 counts for Contravening Section 234(d) read with Sections 1,4,23,25, 151, 153 (3) and 238 of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011.

The accused persons, Nkgweng and Moloi were arrested yesterday by Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation. It is alleged that Nkgweng and Moloi, on behalf of Gaptu Project Management & Construction, submitted their 2012 and 2013 Corporate Income Tax (CIT) returns with nil declaration, while the company was operational and earning an income, resulting in outstanding taxes to the amount of R9 million.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya said an audit on the company’s Value Added Tax (VAT) for the period January 2014 until January 2018, was conducted as the company submitted nil VAT returns. Gunya said it was discovered that the company has been earning income, but failed to declare and South African Revenue Services (SARS) suffered an actual prejudice of over R800 000 through undeclared VAT output.

“In court, both accused were granted bail set at R20 000 each with normal bail conditions that they should not interfere with investigations or witnesses and communicate with the investigating officer when leaving the court jurisdiction.

“The case has been adjourned to 1 September 2025 for the state to provide the defence with copies of the dockets. Criminal prosecution remains a key instrument in addressing willful non-compliance with tax laws,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, together with Brigadier Silas Munzhedzi, the acting North West Hawks Head, has commended all role players for finally placing this matter on the court roll. The NPA and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) remain committed to ensuring accountability and reinforcing a culture of tax compliance.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Seven individuals accused of killed a man for escaping from church remanded in custody


By OBAKENG MAJE

24 March 2025- Seven murder accused were remanded in custody. This comes after their brief appearance in the Brits Magistrate’s Court on 17 March 2025.

The accused, Katlego Maila, 30, Tebogo Morale, 25, Kopano Makwela, 24, Kgomotso Koma, 30, Tshepang Makwela, 25, Tumelo Sengwani, 27, and Joseph Chauke, 26, were remanded in custody until 24 March 2025, for bail application and legal representation. The accused were arrested on 13 March 2025, in Letlhabile, outside Brits, in connection with the murder of John Mashile (30) on 12 March 2025.

The North West police spokesperson, Captain Mpho Manyoba said it is alleged that police in Letlhabile were summoned to the local clinic, where they were shown Mashile’s lifeless body.  Manyoba said the reports suggested that the victim escaped from a church premises where he and other people were seemingly treated for mental illness and doing drugs.

“Although initial reports indicated that the man was killed by the public, it transpired during the questioning that the accused allegedly assaulted and killed him after he attempted to escape from the centre.

“The accused were as a result, arrested for murder,” she said.

Meanwhile, the acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, welcomed the arrest and commended the members for the breakthrough.

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