Grobbler jailed for R1.82-m Sars fraud
A businessman and his bookkeeper, who were previously found guilty of R1.82-million fraud, were handed prison sentences when they appeared in the Boksburg Regional Court, on Friday, June 26.
Kempton Park businessman Leon Grobbler, of ZS Bell Helicopter, and a Krugersdorp bookkeeper, Linda Smidt, were arrested by the SAPS Commercial Crime Unit, on October 27, 2010, for defrauding Sars of R1.82-m.
This happened after Smidt submitted an electronic VAT 201 return on behalf of Grobbler’s company, for the purchase of a helicopter costing R14 820 000.
Sars became suspicious, scrutinised the transaction and obtained an affidavit from the seller, in which he confirmed that the sale had lapsed and that the invoice was cancelled at the end of December 2009.
Grobbler was sentenced to five years in prison. Smidt received the same sentence, suspended for five years, on condition that she does not commit a similar crime.
Grobbler’s company was also fined R10 000, wholly suspended for five years, on condition that the company does not commit the same crime.
Grobbler was sent straight to jail.
Businessman and bookkeeper found guilty of R1.82-m fraud
