A man from North West accused of Tax fraud amounting to R19 million appeared in the Leeudoringstad Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Fifty-nine-year-old Jacobus Opperman and the corporate body he represents, are facing 93 charges of fraud and 29 of contravening the Tax Administration Act.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Henry Mamothame says Opperman allegedly placed false orders for fertilisers to Suidwes Landbou (Pty) Ltd on behalf of his existing clients.
He says Suidwes would subsequently debit the accounts of the clients and pay the amount into Opperman's corporate body known as Gadabout.
Mamothame says besides the fact that the fertilisers were never delivered after the money was paid to Godabout, Opperman would pay it back to Suidwes, without the VAT 201 returns.
He says Opperman allegedly used the Vat for his personal use.
The alleged fraud took place over a six-year period between April 2012 and October 2019.
Opperman was released on bail of R10 000 and will be back in court on the 10th of September for the matter to be transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
The NPA says the State is ready to proceed with trial.
