- Arrest of Individuals in Fraud and Money Laundering Case: Three accused, including Thapelo Solomon Mothibi, Lerato Perseverance Rapetsoa, and Mathe Malodi, appeared in court following arrests by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Unit, linked to a broader investigation into VAT fraud.
- Investigation into Fraudulent VAT Schemes: The joint effort by SARS, DPCI, and the NPA’s Jan Vas Project uncovered a syndicate submitting false VAT returns across multiple regions, involving tax practitioners and accountants acting as e-filers.
- Details of the Fraudulent Activities and Funds Transfer: Mothibi and his accountant submitted false VAT returns claiming over R2 million, with proceeds transferred to individuals’ accounts and spent on personal items unrelated to business.
Three accused: Thapelo Solomon Mothibi (49), representing Boselse Bakamoso Trading Enterprise, Lerato Perseverance Rapetsoa of Emmade Bottle Store, and Mathe Malodi (Pty) Ltd represented by Benjamin Matome Kgatle (52) have appeared in the Mmabatho Magistrates’ Court on charges of fraud and money laundering. The arrests were carried out by the Hawks’ Mmabatho Serious Commercial Crime Unit following a joint investigation by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), under the guidance of the NPA’s Specialised Tax Unit through the Jan Vas Project.
The project focuses on dismantling a syndicate accused of defrauding SARS in North West, Gauteng North, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga by submitting fraudulent VAT returns through registered companies. The scheme allegedly involved tax practitioners and accountants acting as e-filers.
According to the State, Mothibi and his accountant, on behalf of Boselse Bakamoso Trading Enterprise, submitted false VAT returns to SARS and claimed over R2 million. Rapetsoa and Kgatle allegedly received more than R800,000 from the proceeds. It is alleged that after SARS paid the funds into Boselse Bakamoso Trading’s account, Mothibi transferred the money to his personal account and those of Rapetsoa, Kgatle, and others, spending it on personal items unrelated to company business.
Mothibi and Rapetsoa were each granted bail of R10,000 with strict conditions not to interfere with investigations or witnesses, while Kgatle was granted bail of R3,000. The case has been postponed to 14 October 2025 for further investigation.
North West Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended the cooperation between the NPA, SARS, and the Hawks.
