The Hawks in North West are investigating a Potchefstroom duo, Thami Pheto (35) and Johanna van Niekerk (65), who are facing 19 counts of fraud amounting to R260 000.

According to Potchefstroom Herald, Pheto and Van Niekerk appeared in the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court yesterday to face the fraud counts as well as contraventions of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011.

Alleged scheme

It is alleged that between 2020 and 2022, Pheto, a teacher at Botoka Technical School, collected tax certificates from colleagues to file income tax returns on their behalf through e-filing.

According to Hawks North West spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, the investigation revealed that Pheto took the collected tax certificates to Van Niekerk to do the e-filing.

“Van Niekerk, who operates an internet café, allegedly manipulated the tax certificates and, as a result, the South African Revenue Service suffered a loss of R260 000,” adds Mathebula.

Reports indicate that 19 persons unduly benefitted from the income tax returns filed with the assistance of the accused.

Arrest and bail

Following an investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit, Pheto and Van Niekerk were arrested.

They appeared in court and were granted R5 000 bail each.

Their matter has been postponed to Friday for legal representation.

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