MPUMALANGA – Today, 4 August 2021 two bogus company co-directors (father and daughter) and two beneficiaries were each granted R2000 bail by the Nelspruit Magistrates’ Court after being arrested by members of Mpumalanga Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on the same day for fraud-related charges.
It is alleged that in March 2018, Phillip Mutikobola Lukhele (64) and his daughter, Valencia Thembelihle Lukhele (38) unlawfully claimed undue funds by submitting false tax returns on behalf of the unregistered company, Mzithe Trading Cc. Money was paid into Mzithe Trading Cc, prejudicing the South African Revenue Service (SARS) an amount of more than R 417 860. The funds were further transferred into their personal bank accounts and two other beneficiaries, Sibusiso Simon Mlambo (37) and Caswell Thokozani Shongwe (40).
The accused are facing charges of fraud, theft or alternatively contravening the provisions of the Tax Administration Act and money laundering in terms of contravening the Prevention of Organized Crime Act. The matter was postponed to 11 August 2021 for a special SARS prosecutor.
