Day: October 19, 2021

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SARS appoints High Wealth Individual Segment director

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced the appointment of Natasha Singh, a chartered accountant with more than 20 years’ experience, as Director: High Wealth Individual (HWI) Segment.

Singh began in her new role on Monday, 18 October 2021.

She holds a Master’s degree, specialising in taxation. She joins SARS from Eskom where she served as Finance Executive: Group Insurance and Tax.

The revenue collector said Singh’s appointment was most opportune as it coincided with a number of recent reports that affect the critically important segment of taxpayers, including the recently released Pandora Papers.

In line with its strategic objective to make it easy and simple for taxpayers to comply with their legal obligations, SARS said Singh’s appointment “was of strategic importance to help improve compliance of wealthy individuals with complex financial arrangements”.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said the revenue collector recognises the revenue contribution from this segment, in its various forms, to the Republic of South Africa.

“We also acknowledge the likely challenges that may arise, or currently exist with regards to the tax affairs and tax obligations of individuals and their families. Wealthy Individuals, tend to arrange their financial affairs in complex on- and off-shore structures, often masking their direct beneficial ownership and true income,” he said.

Kieswetter added that the continuing revelations from global media regarding the financial transactions of high wealth individuals across the world is a matter that needs proper investigation by suitably qualified experts such as Singh.

“Whilst our initial selection includes about 1500 wealthy individuals and their related entities, to ensure focus, we will continue to extend our reach to include more individuals and families.

“While SARS is committed to assisting taxpayers with their legal obligations, the organisation is equally determined to detect and deter non-compliance. In addition SARS will not tolerate wilful non-compliance and will make it hard and costly for such taxpayers without fear or favour,” Kieswetter said.

On her appointment, Singh said she was “deeply appreciative of and humbled by the rare privilege entrusted to me as the first Director of SARS’ High Wealth Individuals unit”.

“I am a public servant at heart, and a strong proponent of power of purpose. By marrying my passion for the public sector and hunger for purpose, I hope to honour and positively contribute to SARS’ Higher Purpose of serving the well-being of all South Africans,” she said.

The Commissioner introduced Singh to colleagues and staff at the Woodmead offices where the new unit will be co-located with the Large Business & International (LB&I) Segment.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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FBI, Hawks net R100m internet scam suspects

Eight foreign nationals, aged between 33 and 52, were on Tuesday morning arrested for their links to an alleged R100 million internet scam during a large-scale operation in Cape Town.

The group was arrested in a joint operation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United State Secret Service (USSS) Investigations, Interpol and with assistance from the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit.

Also assisting in the operation was Crime Intelligence (CI), K9, National Intervention unit, Special Task Force (STF), Tactical Operations Management Section (TOMS), Criminal Record Centre and Cape Town Metro police.

The suspects are alleged to have been involved in money laundering and international-wide scale financial fraud.

In a statement, the Hawks said the operation was initiated based on the Mutual Legal Assistance from Central Authorities of the United States of America that was approved by the Republic of South Africa.

Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, said all suspects will be charged with a variety of financial crimes, including conspiracy to commit wire/mail fraud and money laundering.

“The suspects in this investigation are alleged to have ties to a transnational organised crime syndicate originating in Nigeria.

“It is alleged that these suspects preyed on victims, many of whom are vulnerable widows or divorcees, who were led to believe that they were in a genuine romantic relationships but were scammed out of their hard earned money.”

Mogale said the suspects used social media websites, online dating websites to find and connect with their victims.

Another modus operandi used by the suspects was business emails, where email accounts were diverted in order to change banking details.

“They assumed fake names and trolled dating sites.

“Once they had ingratiated themselves to their victims, they allegedly concocted sob-stories about why they needed money – i.e., taxes to release an inheritance, essential overseas travel, crippling debt, etc., and then siphoned money from victim’s accounts to the amount of R100 million.”

Mogale said the crimes allegedly committed by the suspects hit close to home.

“Neighbours, parents, friends and family would be targets of this organisation.

“The fraudsters intimidated and berated their victims, ruined their lives and then disappeared. We are confident that this investigation will have a significant impact on this region and beyond,” said Mogale.

The FBI estimates that more than 100 people lost more than R100 million in romance scams from 2011 till to date.

To report any suspected online scam fraud, file a report via the nearest police station.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Zikalala condemns shooting of Durban entrepreneur

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has warned that incidents such as the shooting of the owner of Max’s Lifestyle, has the potential of derailing government’s efforts of growing township tourism and the township economies in general.

Zikalala was reacting to the shooting of the owner of the world-renowned Shisanyama, Max’s Lifestyle in Umlazi, on Thursday night.

The Durban entrepreneur, Max Mqadi, was attacked by unknown gunmen, as he was leaving the establishment.

Despite being injured, Mqadi managed to drive himself to Florida Road in Durban where he received help.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has strongly condemned the attack and called on police to act swiftly and ensure the arrest of suspects responsible for the shooting.

Zikalala warned that the provincial government will do everything possible to ensure that Mqadi’s shooting does not lead to negative sentiment towards township tourism in the province.

“Law enforcement agencies must ramp up efforts to hold accountable those behind this senseless attack. This barbaric act has left many citizens shocked and fearful.

“Incidents such as these have the potential of derailing our efforts of growing township tourism and the township economies in general,” Zikalala.

Zikalala added that Max’s Lifestyle remains one of the premier drawcards to local and international tourists, and has contributed immensely to creating jobs in uMlazi.

“Attacks such as these may therefore reverse the gains we have made in this regard. As part of government’s plan of building better communities, we will ensure that security especially in townships is strengthened and that the latest technology such as drone technology is used to police some of our areas.

“The province cannot afford to have gun totting thugs roaming our streets freely especially in our townships and rural areas where we are stimulating economies. Building safer communities remains one of our key priorities. We will be watching the developments around this case very closely,” the Premier said.

In a statement issued by Max’s Lifestyle Village family, Mqadi was discharged from hospital on Monday and he is recuperating.

“We wish Mqadi a speedy recovery, but most importantly we look forward to those behind this heinous act being brought to book,” Zikalala said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Electoral Commission gazettes details of voting stations

The Electoral Commission has gazetted and published the full list of addresses of the 23 151 voting stations which is now open for inspection across South Africa ahead of the Local Government Elections.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Commission also announced that it has gazetted and published routes, locations and times of stopping for all mobile voting stations.

Both lists can be found at: https://www.elections.org.za/pw/Elections-and-results/Municipal-Elections-2021

The Commission encouraged South Africans to identify and check the addresses of their voting stations as well as to familiarise themselves with the schedule of the mobile voting stations.

“The Commission reminds all voters who have registered for special votes at home that they will be visited on 30th and 31st October.”

Voters who have not applied for home visits are advised to go and vote on 30 and 31 October between 8am and 5pm.

Local Government Elections will be held on 1 November 2021. President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared November 1 as a public holiday to give all those going to cast their ballots an opportunity to do so.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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GCIS commemorates the 44th anniversary of Black Wednesday

The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) is joining South Africa’s media industry in commemorating the 44th anniversary of Black Wednesday, a day set aside to reflect on and discuss media freedom.

South African history bears testament to the need for ongoing discussions on media freedom and the realisation of the critical role media plays in strengthening democracy.

On 19 October 1977, the apartheid government banned independent media in an attempt to gag the media from reporting about the brutal acts of the regime. In particular, The World and Weekend World were banned.

The editor of The World, Percy Qoboza, who became the editor of City Press in 1984, was taken into detention along with other journalists.

“The media is an important partner and stakeholder of government, and the GCIS confirms its commitment to upholding media freedom. The GCIS welcomes regular interactions with the media and formations such as SANEF, the Press Club and the Press Gallery to share ideas and information of issues of national importance.

“We will continue to further strengthen these relations and cement the importance of independence of the media. The work of the media reflects on government and is a measure of how our society is functioning, and government’s commitment to democracy and socio-economic development.

“Since the advent of democracy, South Africa enjoys a free press, anchored on the foundations of the Constitution. The freedom of the press must be respected and guarded at all times,” said GCIS Director-General, Phumla Williams.

The press has been at the forefront since the start of COVID-19 and is a key platform in conveying credible and factual information about COVID-19 to the public.

South Africans are urged to get their information from bona fide media and credible sources, and shun fake news and misinformation, which seeks to derail the country’s efforts to fight the pandemic.

“Any form of threat to the freedom of the media is an attack on our democracy. Therefore, we all play a role in protecting our hard-fought for democracy.

“Government also thanks all the journalists who have worked tirelessly to ensure the public is kept abreast of the developments related to the pandemic, and remember those that have lost their lives, whilst bringing the stories to our homes,” Williams said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Relatives sought by KwaDabeka police

KwaDabeka Police request assistance from the community with the identification the body of an unknown man. It is alleged that on 01 October 2021, a man believed to be in his late twenties was found on the roadside along Lwandle Road next to Mngeni River in KwaDabeka. He was wearing blue short trousers, a white t-shirt as well as a black and grey jacket. An inquest was opened at KwaDabeka police station for investigation.

Anyone who can assist police in the investigation is requested to contact the investigating officer Detective Constable Msadu on 031 711 9948 / 072 499 2125 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

Source: South African Police Service