*BDF Brigadier duped P100k in cross-border fraud
*SA criminal syndicates target Batswana shoppers
A disturbing criminal pattern has emerged targeting Batswana individuals and businesses flocking to South Africa daily to purchase goods, as they have become lucrative targets of organised cartels that have allegedly infiltrated South African state institutions.
A high-profile victim, Brigadier Mothusi Motsumi, has told of how he went south in September 2024 to buy himself a luxurious Land Rover worth R769,990.00, inclusive of a 15% Value Added Tax (VAT). Instead, the routine purchase turned into a financial nightmare after his VAT refund of over R100, 000 vanished into thin air.
For convenience, Motsumi was advised to use the services of a private clearance agent at the border and he obliged without hesitation. He was entitled to a refund of just over R100,000.00 from the border authorities, but he still has not received any amount to this day.
In a shocking twist, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has written to him claiming they have compensated him R3, 760,00, which Motsumi has vehemently denied and has since written a letter of complaint to the SARS counterpart– Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS).
“I have made several follow-ups via email and telephonically with no satisfactory response or explanation for the delay. This level of administrative negligence and lack of accountability has caused me considerable frustration and financial loss. Despite SARS initially indicating that I was due a refund of R100,443.48, less than R500 in administration fees, the company now claims to have only paid me R3,760.89, which they assert is the full amount due to me,” Brigadier Motsumi wrote in the letter to the BURS.
He confirmed that the Agent company sent him a document purporting to be proof of payment of his refund despite lack of evidence that the money was deposited into his account.
“This document appeared on a Capitec Bank letterhead and was presented together with a copy of SWIFT Message Confirmation. However, upon review, the document appears to be non –authentic and fails to credibly demonstrate that the said amount was ever deposited into my account. I continue to dispute the discrepancy in the refund amount and seek resolution based on the original refund value communicated and invoiced by SARS,” he added in the letter.
In his frustration, Brigadier Motsumi tried to institute legal proceedings against SARS but BURS officials advised him to calm down and engage them, as that would be an exercise in futility.
“I respectfully request that your office initiates legal action against SARS without further delay, to compel them to pay the VAT refund amount of R100,433.48, along with any applicable interest and legal costs incurred as a result of their inaction,” Motsumi wrote.
Sources close to the matter have revealed that Motsumi’s case is not isolated as similar complaints involving fake agents, manipulated refund documents, and questionable border dealings have been reported.
BURS spokesperson, Refilwe Moonwa, declined to comment on the matter saying they do not deal with SARS operations and referred our enquiries to the organization.
Meanwhile, several state institutions are under investigation in South Africa on suspicions of being infiltrated by criminal syndicates and they include the South African Police Service, the Border Management Authority, Road Accident Fund, and the fraudulent award of tenders in the Health Sector.
