Businessman and Company Sentenced for Tax Fraud Violations

Mxolise Benedict Mona (36) and his company, Black Brothers Productions (PTY) Ltd, have been sentenced by the Nelspruit Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act. The sentence was handed down on 1 October 2024, following an investigation by the Hawks’ Nelspruit-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team.

The charges stem from fraudulent tax returns filed by Mona, the sole director of the company, in which he provided falsified information to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in 2017. These fraudulent filings claimed Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax credits, attempting to misrepresent the company’s financial obligations and causing a potential loss of R929,256.81 to SARS. Fortunately, the amount was never paid out.

After a thorough investigation, both Mona and his company were found guilty. The sentences are as follows:

• Accused No. 1 (Black Brothers Productions): Fined R30,000, wholly suspended for five years, on the condition that the company is not convicted of similar offences during the suspension period.
• Accused No. 2 (Mxolise Benedict Mona): Fined R30,000 or two years imprisonment, with an additional four years imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years, provided he is not convicted of similar offences during this period.

Major General Gerber, the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commended the team’s efforts in ensuring the accused faced justice.