Central SA
North West man charged with fraud of R19 million─── LUCKY NKUYANE 08:39 Thu, 15 Jun 2023
A North West businessman is in hot water with the law after he was charged with 93 counts of fraud and 29 counts of contravening the Tax Administration Act.
It is alleged that Jacobus Johannes Opperman (59) and the corporate body he represents, Gadabout, committed tax fraud totalling R19 million between 2012 and 2019. Opperman was arrested by the Hawks‘ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit.
Opperman appeared before the Leeudoring Magistrate's Court outside Wolmaransstad on Wednesday 14 June. The National Prosecuting Authority's spokesperson Henry Mamothame said Opperman allegedly placed false orders for fertilisers to Suidwes Landbou agricultural company, on behalf of his existing clients. Suidwes would then debit the clients’ accounts and pay the money into Gadabout’s account, with value-added tax (VAT) included. The accused would then pay the money back to Suidwes, minus the VAT and without submitting VAT201 forms to the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Opperman then allegedly used the VAT money for personal expenses.
The case against Opperman and Gadabout has been postponed to 10 September 2023 for the matter to be transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. Opperman was released on R10 000 bail. Mamothame said that investigations have been completed and the State is ready to proceed with the trial.
