A Bethlehem-based businessman and his company were convicted of tax evasion and are set to repay the South African Revenue Service (Sars) more than R1 million in addition to a hefty sentence. This followed an order by the Bethlehem Regional Court during the sentence proceedings on Tuesday (18/04).
The company director, Samuel Mosia (57), received five years’ imprisonment while the company, Elegant Line Trading 570 CC, was imposed a fine of R5 million.
WO Fikiswa Matoti, Free State spokesperson of the Hawks, said these sentences are suspended for five years with strict conditions that both parties are not found guilty of the same offence.
She said Mosia was ordered to repay Sars in value-added tax (VAT) amounting to R372 972.03 on or before 30 September this year, and the company is to repay income tax worth R853 194.86 on or before 30 September 2026.
The harsh punishment is the culmination of the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team’s efforts, who are based in Bethlehem. This was undertaken after the revenue services discovered and reported Mosia and his company’s tax evasion.
Matoti said the tax evasion was for the period between 2017 and 2019.
“It was discovered that Mosia, as the director for Elegant Line Trading 570 CC, submitted the tax returns to SARS, declaring income for the company between 2017 and 2019 but failed to calculate and declare the accurate tax income liability. He further failed to make payments of his tax returns. As a result, SARS suffered a loss of more than R1,2 million,” she said.
