CAPE TOWN - Alleged fraudster and director of chartered accountant company, Mlanga McDonald Incorporation, Mlingani Mlanga (44) has been released on R20 000 bail in a case involving allegations of tax fraud.
Mlanga was released on March 25 at the East London Magistrate’s Court.
Hawks spokesperson, Yolisa Mgolodela, said: "It is alleged that during the period of June 2005 to May 2012, Mlanga McDonald Incorporation that was registered for Value Added Tax (VAT) with South African Revenue Service (SARS) submitted through e-filing VAT returns claiming input tax refunds which were not due to the company.
"SARS discovered claims of more than R4 million which caught their eye of suspicion. The matter was reported to the East London based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team for investigation in 2018. The investigation revealed that the refunds were successfully paid by SARS to the claimant hence his arrest on 25 March 2022," said Mgolodela.
The matter was remanded to 16 April 2022 for copies of the dockets to be handed to the defence.
Meanwhile, in a separate matter, Bernice Viljoen (55), the ex-wife of Dewald Viljoen and former secretary at Dewald Viljoen Attorneys was convicted and sentenced by the Gqeberha Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for charges of theft.
Viljoen was convicted and sentenced on Friday.
"(Dewald) was a registered attorney and held a trust account which was solely intended to be used for safekeeping of deposited monies which was received by him on behalf of his clients. Various deposits were made into the trust account. These deposits were related to Road Accident Fund (RAF) claims, property sales and debt collections. The monies were never distributed to the rightful beneficiaries but rather into Dewald Viljoen Prokereurs business account and Boerdery bank account. Bernice as the bookkeeper of the practice was aware of the unlawful misappropriations.
"In February 2012, various complaints were lodged by the victims with Gqeberha based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team of the Hawks for investigation which led to the arrest of Bernice and Dewald Viljoen on 17 March 2016. They appeared shortly in court and were released on warning. The investigation revealed that the victims were prejudiced cash of more than R500 000," said Mgolodela.
Viljoen was sentenced to two years of correctional supervision which includes house arrest and community service for that period. She also received a further four years imprisonment sentence, suspended for three years.
Dewald Viljoen is currently being tried on the same charges, Mgolodela said.
Cape Times