By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

25 June 2025- The accused, Tebogo Vincent Mashabe (38) representing Tebocent Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd and in his personal capacity together with his wife, Refilwe Fancy Mashabe (39), briefly appeared before the Mmabatho Magistrate’s Court today, facing charges of fraud and money laundering. The pair was arrested by the Hawks Mmabatho Serious Commercial Crime Unit.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NOA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said their arrest comes after a thorough investigation between South African Revenue Services (SARS) and DPCI as guided by the Specialised Tax Unit through the Jan Vas Project. Gunya said this project involves a fraud syndicate that operates in the North West, Gauteng North, Limpopo and Mpumalanga.

“The syndicate has been defrauding SARS of huge amounts of money through submitting fraudulent VAT returns. The syndicate used companies that are registered at SARS as taxpayers. The companies used tax practitioners and accountants as e-filers for the companies.

“The court heard that Tebogo is the sole director of Tebocent Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd, which was registered as a company on 14 February 2012. This company further registered with SARS for Value Added Tax (VAT) and Company Income Tax (CIT). Tebogo also registered with SARS for e-filing.

“The state alleges that the e-filing profile of Tebocent Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd was frequently accessed by Tebogo Mashabe, the tax practitioner, and the accountant in submitting fraudulent VAT returns from 8 December 2012 to 24 August 2021. A total of eleven fraudulent VAT returns were submitted to SARS during this period and a total amount of R3 million was claimed through the fraudulent VAT returns.

“A sum of R2 million was paid by SARS in the bank accounts of Tebocent Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd. Investigations revealed that immediately after SARS made a transfer of a sum of money relating to the fraudulent claim to Tebocent Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd, Tebogo would redirect the money to his personal bank account, his wife’s bank account (Fancy Mashabe) and six other accounts,” he said.

Gunya further said the money would then be used on items that have nothing to do with the business of the company. He added that both accused were granted bail set at R10,000 each with normal bail conditions that they should not interfere with investigations or witnesses and leave the country.

“The case has been adjourned to 30 September 2025, for the arrest of other suspects,” said Gunya.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari commended the collaboration between the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), South African Revenue Services (SARS) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) that culminated in the accused’s court appearance.

taungdailynews@gmail.com