–Staff Writer / Fri, 20 February 2026
Two accused have appeared in the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court in the North West for allegedly defrauding the South African Revenue Service (SARS) of R260,000.
Thami Pheto (35) and Johanna van Niekerk (65) appeared in court on Friday, 20 February 2026, facing 19 counts of fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011.
It is alleged that between 2020 and 2022, Pheto, an educator at Botoka Technical School in Potchefstroom, collected tax certificates from colleagues and offered to file their income tax returns via e-filing. Investigations revealed that Pheto allegedly took the tax certificates to van Niekerk, who operates an internet café, to process the returns.
Van Niekerk allegedly manipulated the tax certificates submitted to SARS, resulting in a loss of R260,000 to the revenue service. Reports indicate that 19 individuals unduly benefited from the income tax returns filed with the assistance of the accused.
The pair were arrested on Friday morning by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit under the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.
Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula, confirmed the arrests and court appearance.
“They were arrested on Friday morning and appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrates’ Court facing 19 counts of fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act. They were each granted R5,000 bail and the matter was postponed to 27 February 2026 for legal representation,” said Mathebula.
The case is expected to resume later this month.
News Junction (Gold Standard)