The suspect, Ntapeleng Serame, faces charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering, and contravening the Tax Administration Act.

Hawks Spokesperson, Christopher Singo, says it is alleged between 2007 and 2009 Serame committed fraud through his closed corporations in the procurement of goods for the Mangaung Local Municipality.

A total amount of R9 million was paid into the bank accounts of Iceberg Trading 542 cc, Snowline Trading 582 cc, Ka Rona Trading 536 cc, Seventh Avenue Trading 560 cc, and Senthati Trading cc, which all belong to Serame, for services that were not rendered.

It is further alleged that Serame defrauded the South African Revenue Services (SARS) of more than R2 million by submitting false income tax returns.

The matter was then reported to the Hawks for further investigation.

Serame was served with a summons on 26 June 2014. He appeared in court on several occasions.

“Serame (45) appeared before the Bloemfontein Regional Court on Friday 14 January 2022,” says Singo.

OFM News