R 19million tax fraud case against Jacobus Opperman postponed
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The State says they have already conducted needed investigations in a tax fraud case against Jacobus Johannes Opperman.
Opperman made a brief appearance at Leeudoringstad Magistrates’ Court and the matter was postponed to September 10, 2023 after being released on R 10 000 bail.
NPA spokesperson in the North West Henry Mamothame said that Opperman and another accused are facing 93 charges of fraud and 29 of contravening the Tax Administration Act.
“Opperman’s court appearance emanates from his arrest by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation, following the fraudulent activities that he, through Gadabout, committed fraud amounting to over R19-million between April 2012 and October 2019. He allegedly falsely placed orders for fertilisers to Suidwes Landbou (Pty) Ltd, on behalf of its existing clients.”
“Suidwes would subsequently debit the accounts of the clients and pay the money into Gadabout’s account, with value-added tax (VAT) included. They did this knowingly that these orders were fraudulent and the said fertilisers would not be delivered.”
“After the money was paid to Godabout, the accused would then pay back the amounts to Suidwes Landbou without the VAT and they failed to submit VAT 201 returns to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).”
Mamothame added that their investigations have revealed that the two tool the VAT money for their personal use.
The matter is also set to be transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
