Gauteng Tax Fraud and Laundering Case: Major Breakthrough Leads to Court Appearance

The long arm of the law is finally closing in on a substantial financial scam that began over a decade ago. In a significant turning point for a tax fraud investigation that has spanned several years, the Johannesburg-based Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team has achieved a major breakthrough by bringing two key suspects to court.

Duston Bernard Haddon (38) and the business entity Casino PTY LTD were hauled into the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday, 22 October 2024. This story unraveled when the South African Revenue Services (SARS) lodged a complaint at the Johannesburg central police station in December 2017, citing instances of fraud and a blatant disregard for the Tax Administration Act.

Investigations reveal that Casino Importers and Exporters orchestrated fraudulent actions by submitting doctored VAT 201 returns to SARS, while propping them up with counterfeit invoices from October 2012 to October 2014. These intricate fabrications resulted in the swindling of SARS for an excess of R20 million. The laundering of these funds involved numerous accounts, making the case complex and multifaceted.

The charges Haddon and Casino PTY LTD face are daunting—26 counts of fraud, one count of forgery, one count of uttering, and a staggering 110 counts of money laundering. Despite the weight of these allegations, the court granted Haddon bail set at R30,000-00. The case, however, remains open with a remand to 28 November 2024, as the principal suspect, Augusto Manuel Carrera De Oliveira, remains at large. At the crux of this case is the pursuit of Carrera De Oliveira, 59, who served as the Director of Casino PTY LTD during the period of the alleged crimes. Despite a court-issued arrest warrant dating back to 05 May 2021, his whereabouts are still undetermined.

The Hawks, with resolute support from SARS and the justice system, continue to hunt for Carrera De Oliveira. The crime unit encourages anyone with information on his location to contact Warrant Officer Dean Pillay, as aiding a fugitive constitutes a serious infraction under the Criminal Procedure Act.

The gravity of this case cannot be understated. It sheds light on the deep ramifications of tax evasion, not only on the economy but also on the legal onus of every individual and company within South Africa. Major General Ebrahim Kadwa of the Hawks in Gauteng has underlined the imperative for tax compliance, stating that fraudulent actions and evasion of taxes severely disrupt the integrity of the financial system.

The pursuit of justice and the reinforcement of robust tax regulation remain critical in securing the fiscal health and legal governance of the country. As the case progresses, it serves as a stern reminder that the repercussions of such financial crimes are severe and the commitment to resolving them remains steadfast.