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Linda Hlanze appeared in the Elukwatini Magistrate’s Court on 27 January after being arrested by the Hawks’ Nelspruit-based Serious Corruption Investigation team for allegedly attempting to defraud SARS of R453,423.57, according to Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi.
Hlanze is accused of approaching two unemployed individuals and filing fraudulent tax claims using fake IRP5 forms. When the claims were not processed, he allegedly contacted a SARS employee, offering a bribe to push the claims through.
One of the individuals he approached reported the matter to police, leading to an investigation by the Hawks’ Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation. Hlanze was later traced to Nhlazatshe and arrested.
He was released on bail and is expected to appear in court again on 10 March.
Mpumalanga Hawks head, Major General Nico Gerber, condemned the abuse of SARS systems, stating that authorities would investigate whether Hlanze acted alone or had accomplices. “Our team will do their best to bring all those involved before the court,” he said.
