The case of fraud and tax evasion against Tshepiso Gift Magashule (39), together with the company Motheko Projects (pty) LTD, is set to be heard in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on 18 July.
According to Phaladi Shuping, spokesperson for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the hearing is set to determine a trial date.
The accused is the son of former Free State premier and suspended ANC secretary-general, Ace Magashule.
Tshepiso, out on warning, has been appearing in court since February this year facing charges relating to the false submission in tax returns between April 2020 and February 2021.
According to the DPP, he allegedly submitted to the South African Revenue Services (Sars) that his company did not trade during the period in question.
The company was among 137 bidders for a three-year tender for the supply and delivery of Covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Free State Department of Social Development last year. The company was also among 94 bidders for decontamination and deep cleaning for the department in question.
According to findings, Tshepiso and his company, together with his accountant, Makhosi Johannes Tshabalala (32), allegedly submitted the false tax return. It is alleged that between April 2020 and February 2021 Tshabalala submitted, on behalf of the company, VAT returns reflecting zero income, whereas the company was awarded five PPE contracts worth R7,4 million. The company was supposed to pay VAT of R437 000 from the income of the five contracts.
Tshepiso and his accountant face five counts of fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act.
Earlier this year, the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) report cleared Tshepiso and his brother, Thato, from any wrongdoing after an investigation into R3 million in PPE tenders.
