CHEF and businessman Lusizo Mvula Henna has been sentenced to 10 years for defrauding the South African Revenue Service (Sars).
In March this year, the 41-year-old was found guilty of fraud and money laundering after he submitted a fraudulent R5 million VAT claim.
The Joburg-based chef is the owner of Blaque Olive Private Chefs.
He was sentenced on six counts of fraud and six years imprisonment on 14 counts of money laundering.
The sentencing was handed by the Joburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Monday, 22 April.
According to regional NPA spokeswoman Phindi Mjonondwane, during the court proceedings, Magistrate Phindi Keswa found that Henna claimed undue VAT refunds totaling R 5,3 million of which Sars paid out R3,1 million.
Mjonondwane said the magistrate found there were no trading activities in Blaque Olive’s bank accounts resembling these claims.
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The court found that these claims were solely submitted to defraud Sars.
“Lusizo received R3,1 million in his bank account and laundered the R3,1million in 14 days by transferring the proceeds of the scheme to relatives, friends and others related to him.
“This was after evidence in aggravation was presented on behalf of Sars explaining the damage to the fiscus as a result of schemes such as these,” she said.
She said Advocate Marius Oosthuizen, on behalf of the state, said that only direct imprisonment would be appropriate as crimes against the fiscus have a detrimental impact on the government’s ability to render services.
“He further said that dealing harshly with offenders of schemes like these would improve South Africa’s grey listing status in respect of financial crimes,” she said.
Oosthuizen said it was important for the justice system to send a message to looters of the fiscus that they would be treated harshly.
Mjonondwane said they are happy with the outcome of this case.
“The NPA applauds the commitment of Advocate Oosthuizen and the investigation team for their efforts in holding Henna accountable for stealing from the fiscus,” she said.
