Jessica Marieka Janse Van Niewenhuys (35) has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of fraud and contravening the Tax Administration Act by the Free State Division of the High Court in Bloemfontein. Her husband, Petrus Janse Van Niewenhuys (36), who was also arrested in connection with the case, had all charges against him withdrawn.
The couple was apprehended in Gqeberha on 27 May 2024 after an investigation by the Welkom-based Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit. Authorities discovered that between 2018 and 2022, Jessica, who handled bookkeeping for four companies in Parys, submitted fraudulent tax returns on behalf of these businesses. Additionally, she filed false returns for her husband, who was working for a company carrying out projects at various mines. The fraudulent scheme resulted in a loss of over R9 million to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
After an extensive trial, the court found Jessica guilty of 181 counts of fraud and 38 counts of money laundering. The judge ruled that all charges be consolidated for sentencing, leading to her 12-year imprisonment. Furthermore, she was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Major General Mokgadi Bokaba, the Free State Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), welcomed the court’s decision, stating that justice had been served.
“This sentencing sends a strong message to those who think they can defraud the system without consequences. A process to recoup what was benefited from this crime is already underway,” said Major General Bokaba.
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