The case has been adjourned to 27 February 2026 for legal representation.
A teacher and an internet café operator, facing 19 cases of fraud and violation of Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011, have been released on bail of Rs 5,000 each.
Thami Phato (35) and Johanna Van Niekerk (65) are alleged to have defrauded the South African Revenue Services (SARS) of R260 000.
North West police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Tiniko Mathebula said it all started in 2020 and the two were caught on Friday morning.
SARS lost R260k
Mathebula said it is alleged that Van Niekerk falsified the tax certificates of Pheto's associates, resulting in a loss of R260 000.
“It is alleged that between 2020 and 2022, Pheto, who is a teacher at Botoka Technical School in Potchefstroom, collected tax certificates from his associates to file income tax returns on his behalf through e-filing,” Mathebula said.
“The investigation revealed that Pheto took the collected tax certificates to Van Niekerk for e-filing. Van Niekerk, who operates an internet café, allegedly manipulated the tax certificates and as a result, the South African Revenue Service suffered a loss of R260 000.”
Also read: Treasury closes door on 'honest mistakes' as tax penalty rules tighten
19 people benefited from the loss of SARS
Mathebula said the report indicated that 19 people benefited improperly from income tax returns filed with the assistance of the accused.
“Following an investigation into the Hawks' serious corruption investigation, Fatto and Van Niekerk were arrested on Friday morning, 20 February 2026,” he said.
“They appeared in court and were granted bail of Rs 5000 each. Their case was adjourned to February 27, 2026 for legal representation.”
violation of tax act
according to south african governmentViolations of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011 (TAA) include acts or omissions that hinder SARS's tax collection, including non-compliance with reporting, record-keeping or payment obligations.
Consequences include stiff penalties, interest and possible criminal prosecution under Section 234 for fraud or negligence, including non-compliance by tax practitioners.
Read now: Here's how much tax revenue SARS has collected since 1997
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