The South African Police Service's commercial crime unit in Welkom yesterday arrested a well-known business man from the Welkom mining industry in connection with suspected tax fraud of R20 million.
Mr Jan Marthinus Stevens (66), Welkom, appeared before the magistrate’s court in Welkom and was released on bail of R10 000.The court took into consideration that the accused was a pensioner and had a fixed place of residence. The suspected fraud relates to income tax and value added tax (VAT) contraventions relating to the business Stevens Specialised Mining.
South African Revenue Service (Sars) investigators investigated the case after an audit indicated certain irregularities and handed it over to the Specialised Tax Unit (STU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Bloemfontein for prosecution. The STU issued the warrant of arrest for Mr Stevens.
The accused is expected to appear again in court on 27 October 2009 at the Welkom Regional court.
Issued by: South African Revenue Service
27 August 2009
Source: South African Revenue Service (http://www.sars.gov.za)
