Tax official who helped people get refunds - for a cut - now bust by Hawks

A 42-year-old former South African Revenue Service employee has been arrested by the Serious Commercial Crime Unit of the Hawks‚ for allegedly defrauding his former employer of almost half a million rand.

"It is alleged that between the period 2011 to 2014 the suspect‚ who was employed at SARS Bellville‚ unlawfully submitted fraudulent tax returns to SARS on behalf of private individuals‚ he would then charge a fee on the amount reimbursed to taxpayers‚" the Hawks said in a statement.

The receiver of revenue apparently suffered losses of approximately R433‚456.74 as a result.

He is expected to appear in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crimes Court soon‚ on a fraud rap.