Staff reporter
Bloemfontein – The arrests of nine former and current employees of South African Revenue Services (SARS) over their alleged involvement in the ghost exports worth R653 million in just 33 transactions have proven “you can run but can not hide”.
This after a joint operation between HAWKS and the SARS anti-corruption unit arrested seven of nine suspects on Thursday and Friday.
According to the joint media statement, SARS confirmed five of the suspects were charged and dismissed, two resigned pending disciplinary process while one employee was charged and issued with a written warning.
Two are undergoing disciplinary processes.
“It is alleged that the employees were stationed at Ficksburg Bridge, Maseru Bridge, and Vanrooyenshek Bridge where they facilitated 333 transactions amounting to R653 500 455.28. All identified transactions were imported consignments/cargo (textile) in bond (Removal in Bond) from the Durban port of entry to be exported from the Free State Border Post (Maseru),” – read a joint statement from HAWKS & SARS.
Asked for clarity on the transactions Siphithi Sibelius, spokesperson for SARS.
“The employees that were arrested from Thursday & Friday were involved in facilitating ghost exports.
This entailed people who purport to have facilitated exports across whereas those goods are diverted into the local market. This deprives the government of duties that should be paid and is a criminal transgression of the Customs Act. For now, we will not be commenting further.”
The accused will appear in the Ladybrand magistrate court this morning.
If you have news or tips please email news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp 0685000246
More Stories
A company with links to Patrick Phuti gets R97 million tender
“Cde Thabo is out of line” – Setai to Motsoeneneng
Women shot dead a few kilometres from Men’s Indaba venue