The three accused in an alleged R200 000 SARS fraud case are due back in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, when one of them is expected to apply for bail.

Three people, including an elderly couple, briefly appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on fraud charges on Wednesday.

Lowvelder reports that Christopher Nkosi (65) and his wife Sibongile Nkosi (59) appeared in court with Nhlanhla Mashaba (39) for allegedly defrauding SARS of more than R200 000.

The couple were informed that there was a warrant for their arrest and voluntarily handed themselves over to the Hawks’ Nelspruit-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit.

They were taken to court the same day, where they were joined by Mashaba (39).

Mashaba was arrested on February 11, after having been on the run for some time.

He was remanded in custody pending his next court appearance on Thursday, when he is expected to make a formal bail application.

The Nkosis were granted R4 000 bail each, pending their next court appearance on the same date as Mashaba.

According to Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, the couple served as the directors of a company called Ingcwenga Events Management.

“Mashaba allegedly colluded with the couple to file their company’s tax returns via e-filing during the 2013/14 tax season. He allegedly managed to manipulate the system, resulting in SARS suffering an actual loss of R212 469.85,” says Nkosi.

“The misrepresentation was uncovered by SARS, and an investigation was handled by the Hawks. It was established that Mashaba [allegedly] played a major role in defrauding SARS,” says Nkosi.

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