R3.6 Million Tax Scam Lands Director Behind Bars
This article will count 0.25 units (15 minutes) of unverifiable CPD. Remember to log these units under your membership profile.
“Tax fraud is not a victimless crime,” warned SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter following the conviction of Tshepo Khoza—director of Grey Apple Trading Enterprise—who has been sentenced to six years in prison, with two years suspended, for fraud and tax offences.
Khoza’s crimes form part of Project Blue Lights, a sweeping corruption probe led by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in collaboration with SARS and law enforcement agencies. His offences include three counts of fraud (one under Schedule 5, denoting serious economic crime) and failure to register for VAT, in breach of the Tax Administration Act.
The Fraud: Ghost Tenders and Family Ties
Between 2015 and 2018, Khoza’s company received approximately R3.6 million through fraudulent tenders linked to the DNA project under SAPS’s Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).
He claimed the company was dormant during this period, declaring no income to SARS—despite the millions flowing through its accounts.
Investigations revealed that Khoza leveraged a family connection to a senior SAPS official to secure contracts, a key feature of the broader criminal web being unravelled in the Blue Lights probe.
More Charges Ahead
The case is far from over. The trial is set to continue on 22 February 2026, where Khoza will appear alongside other accused individuals facing related charges.
Message from SARS and IDAC: Expect Consequences
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter and IDAC Head Andrea Johnson jointly welcomed the conviction, highlighting the importance of inter-agency cooperation in holding fraudsters accountable and restoring public trust.
“Every rand stolen through fraudulent schemes undermines our country’s ability to deliver on its constitutional mandate. SARS will not tolerate such conduct… Those who defraud the system must know that accountability is certain, and justice will prevail.”
Source: iOL article
