By OBAKENG MAJE
A man (38) has been sentenced to four years imprisonment by the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act on Thursday. The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Warrant Officer, Nomthandazo Mnisi said, during 2020, Shahein Anwar Hassen, submitted 29 personal Income Tax Returns and obtained undue Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax credits.
“In the submission, he claimed tax credits relating to medical expenses, retirement annuity funds deductions and pay as you earn contributions using fictitious IRP5 certificates and fictitious medical aid certificates.
“The accused further submitted two false personal income tax returns for the period of 2021. This resulted in the South African Revenue Service suffering a total loss of R324 802.89,” she said.
Mnisi further said Hassen was arrested on 15 June 2023 and found guilty on 13 February 2024 by the same court on 29 counts of fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act. She added that a thorough investigation by the Hawks Kimberley Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team led to the conviction and sentencing of the accused.
The Guardian 