LIMPOPO – Evans Setshedi (41) was found guilty for defrauding SARS of almost R1.7 million in tax returns by the Mankweng Regional Court on Wednesday.
During 2010, the accused submitted fraudulent tax returns to SARS on behalf of Elias Motsoaledi Municipality in which it was owed R1.7 million.
The money was approved and deposited into his personal bank account by SARS instead of the municipality account.
Setshedi started to make several withdrawals and the bank authorities became suspicious.
During the verification process it was established that the account number did not belong to the municipality and that the accused used another person’s particulars to open the account.
The bank authorities notified the police and the accused was arrested on the spot.
Setshedi was out on bail until he was convicted and sentenced to eight years imprisonment of which four years is suspended for five years.
He will effectively serve four years in jail.
