Three people have been arrested in Mpumalanga in connection with alleged fraud, money laundering and contravention of the Tax Administration Act, which allegedly resulted in the South African Revenue Service (SARS) suffering prejudice of more than R1.8 million.
Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Colonel Magonseni Nkosi said Thandiwe Patricia Mokwena, 33, Thabiso France Motsoeneng, 32, and Sfiso Doctor Mokwena, 28, were arrested on Tuesday after members of the Hawks’ Middelburg Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) executed warrants of arrest.
Nkosi said the investigation followed a complaint lodged by SARS.
It is alleged that Maps Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd, of which Thandiwe Mokwena is a director, colluded with the two accused and an outstanding suspect when submitting fraudulent tax returns for the period between 2019 and 2021.
The company also allegedly submitted fraudulent VAT returns during the same period to claim VAT refunds from SARS.
The alleged misrepresentation resulted in SARS suffering total prejudice of R1,806,252.95.
The three accused appeared before the Witbank Magistrate’s Court, where they were each granted bail of R7,000 on Tuesday 29 September.
The matter was postponed to 28 October 2026, pending the arrest of the fourth accused.
The investigation is being conducted by the Hawks’ Middelburg SCCI.
