Fired SARS official jailed for 15 years for R6m fraud

As if losing her home and her job was not enough, a former high-ranking SARS employee faces jail.

Bronwyn Goldman and her husband, Neil, were caught with their hands in the cookie jar in 2010.

Yesterday, they were sentenced in the Bellville Magistrate's Court for stealing over R6-million from SARS. The ill-gotten money was used to fund their lavish lifestyle.

Bronwyn was an audit team leader and had access to the value-added-tax electronic system.

She made false VAT claims to SARS for her husband's panel-beating and spraypainting business from 2005 to 2010.

Eric Ntabazalila, spokesman for the National Prosecution Authority in the Western Cape, said Bronwyn had abused her authority.

"She manipulated the system to pay millions into the bank account of her husband from which they benefited. She betrayed the trust of the people," Ntabazalila said.

They bought a home for R1.9-million and kept Neil's "loss-making business going".

SARS sold the property and recovered over R1.8-million and Bronwyn was fired.

The pair entered into a plea and sentencing agreement with the state.

Magistrate Nobenguni Bingwa sentenced Bronwyn to 15 years in jail, with two suspended for five years.

Neil was sentenced to an eight-year jail term, which was wholly suspended for five years. He has to serve three years under correctional supervision to care for their four minor children.