Staff Reporter
A 39-year-old South African Revenue Service (SARS) official is expected to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court for allegedly enticing and trying to extort cash from a company director on Monday.
The official literally walked into a well-executed trap at the company premises of the complainant set up by the police priority crime investigating unit, the Hawks, and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
He had demanded R20 000 to help the complainant fix his tax issues clandestinely.
Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lynda Steyn said in a statement the case goes back to February 2019 when the company director was issued with a subpoena for outstanding tax returns and payments.
A month later in March, the company’s auditor liaised with the SARS official and all the required documents were handed in as arranged.
“It is alleged the business owner received several phone calls from the accused, requesting to meet him personally,” said Steyn in the statement.
“The complainant met with the suspect, where he alleged that he could help the complainant resolve the outstanding tax assessments to disappear in return for a R20 000 gratification,” she added.
The DPP then granted a directive and the complainant met with the suspect at the company offices on Monday, where an amount of R10 000 was agreed upon.
He was arrested on the spot for alleged corruption and extortion.
His private vehicle, a Mercedes Benz, was also seized during the operation.