Latest news with #Gunya
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
R19,000 fine for man who ignored tax returns for 16 years
A man has been fined for failing to submit his tax returns for 16 years. Image: File The Rustenburg Magistrate's Court has fined a 48-year-old man R19,000 for failing to submit tax returns. This is despite the South African Revenue Service's (SARS) attempts to remind him to do so between 2007 and 2023. Paulo Silvino Dos Santos appeared before the court, facing 19 counts of contravening Sections 234(d) and 234(i) of the Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011 for failing to submit Personal Income Tax returns. His offences relate to the period from 2007 and 2008, during which he failed to comply with statutory obligations and directives issued by SARS. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the North West Division, Sivenathi Gunya, said despite numerous telephonic reminders and written notices, Dos Santos failed to comply. Gunya said the court appearance of Dos Santos was a result of the diligent work of the NPA's Specialised Tax Unit, which is tasked with promoting accountability and compliance by taking legal action against individuals and entities who wilfully disregard tax obligations. 'The NPA welcomes this outcome, as it underscores the importance of tax compliance in ensuring effective revenue collection and upholding public confidence in SARS's enforcement capabilities,' Gunya added. The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, emphasised the critical role of enforcing South Africa's tax laws in maintaining a fair and functional tax system. She said the NPA, in collaboration with SARS and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), remains committed to combating tax non-compliance under the Honey Badger Project. 'The hefty fine imposed on Dos Santos for failing to submit tax returns sends a strong message that such offences will not be tolerated,' Dr Makhari said. Additionally, she said the outcome underscores the seriousness with which the state treats tax non-compliance and reaffirms the legal obligation of all taxpayers to submit returns, an essential function that enables effective revenue collection to fund vital public services. Meanwhile, SARS has announced the official start of the 2025 filing season, which would effectively start from July 07, 2025, to October 20, 2025. In its statement, SARS said taxpayers who are automatically assessed would receive a notification from them from July 7-20. 'Taxpayers who do not receive an auto assessment notification from SARS and are required to file a tax return can do so from July 21,' read the statement. Additionally, SARS urged all taxpayers to prepare their documentation early to check their assessments and to avoid last-minute delays when submitting an income tax return.
IOL News
21-05-2025
- IOL News
North West man sentenced to life for horrific rape and robbery
Daniel Sekunelo Togole, 57, was one of a trio of masked men who carried out a robbery and rape on the evening of September 4, 2012, in Mmabatho near Mafikeng when they accosted the rape victim and friends while they were seated in a car. Image: File A North West man will serve a life term behind bars for the rape of a 21-year-old victim after being convicted and sentenced by the Molopo Regional Court this week. Daniel Sekunelo Togole, 57, was one of a trio of masked men who carried out a robbery on the evening of September 4, 2012, in Mmabatho near Mafikeng when they accosted the rape victim and friends while they were seated in a car. Togole was linked to the rape crime through his DNA, said National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Sivenathi Gunya. Gunya confirmed Togole was sentenced to life for rape and additional 20 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The court ordered that both sentences run concurrently. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Togole has been added to the National Register for Sex Offenders. Gunya said: 'It is alleged that the victim was with her friends at Mmabatho CBD, seated in a car, when three unknown men emerged and attacked them. Evidence presented in court revealed that these three men had masks covering their heads and their hands covered with gloves. Upon their arrival, they searched the car and its occupants. 'The driver was fastened with a rope and was put at the back of the bakkie. The car was driven until it reached the bushes where they robbed the victim's cell phones, property, and cash amounting to R40,00. Togole sexually assaulted a young woman aged 21 at the time. After the rape incident, they left the victims in the bushes, and they managed to drive to the nearest clinic seeking for help. A case of rape was opened.' Police investigations led by Warrant Officer Tshepang Lentsokwe only linked Togole to the offence through DNA. He was arrested three years later and has been in custody since. Gunya said that despite pleading not guilty, Togole was found guilty based on compelling evidence presented by the prosecution. 'In aggravation of sentence, Advocate Kefentse Diseko argued that the accused showed no remorse for his actions. He emphasised the gravity and prevalence of rape in his arguments for sentencing. He articulated that Togole's actions constituted a violation of the victim's constitutional rights to bodily integrity and safety, resulting in brutal violence and lasting trauma. In his ruling, Magistrate Ndade Maphango acknowledged the aggravating circumstances of the case. He ruled that the accused showed no remorse and targeted a vulnerable person, being a woman.' Gunya said the NPA welcomed the life sentence handed down to the convicted rapist as 'a strong reaffirmation of the justice system's unwavering commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of victims of sexual violence'. Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, commended the prosecutor, the investigating officer, and all criminal justice system members who played a pivotal role in securing this conviction. 'This judgment not only delivers justice to the victim but also sends a powerful message that gender-based violence will not be tolerated in South Africa. We hope it serves as a deterrent to would-be offenders,' said Makhari.
IOL News
26-04-2025
- IOL News
Justice served: Life sentences for rapists of an elderly woman and a minor child
Two rapists have been sentenced to a life sentence each after they were convicted for their heinous crimes committed against an elderly woman and a minor child. Image: File Two rapists have been sentenced to a life sentence each after they were convicted for their heinous crimes committed against an elderly woman and a minor child. Justice was delayed for the now-deceased elderly woman at the Regional Court of North West sitting at the Atamelang Regional Court. Tlotlano Simon Monnatshitlo, 50, was sentenced for the 2012 rape of Kelatlegile Angelina Phaka, who was 82 years old when the incident happened. Monnatshitlo, who pleaded not guilty, was one of three who were to stand trial for the heinous crime. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson for the North West division, Sivenathi Gunya, confirmed as part of the rapist's conviction, his name has been added to the National Register for Sex Offenders. 'The charges originated from an incident that occurred on 21 September 2012 near Madibogo village in the North West. Monnatshitlo, then 37 years old, entered the victim's house in the company of his two accomplices. 'The trio began to rape the 82-year-old, thereafter, they fled the scene. The complainant ran to her neighbours to report the rape. The police were then called. Upon arrival of the police, the complainant was taken for a medical examination, and a case was reported. The accused were subsequently linked through DNA, and both were arrested. The third perpetrator could not be linked by any evidential material. The co-accused later died before the matter could go on trial,' said Gunya. Monnatshitlo was left as the sole accused and at trial opted to remain silent and leave it to the State to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. 'By the time the trial commenced, the complainant, Kelatlhegile Angeline Phaka, was already deceased, and as a result, the State brought an application, in terms of section 3 of the Law of Evidence Amendment Act, to have her hearsay statement be admitted as evidence. The State's application was granted by the court, and the accused was convicted on the hearsay evidence of the deceased complainant, testimony of two State witnesses as well as by the DNA report that positively linked him,' said Gunya. Gunya said the State prosecutor, Advocate Edward Manicus, told the court that the victim was defenceless, and the accused took advantage of that, and the court must not deviate from the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment. Meanwhile, in KwaZulu-Natal at the Nquthu Regional Court, a 27-year-old man was sentenced for the rape of a minor girl in the Mondlo area in December 2022. NPA spokesperson, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, said the girl was 10 years old at the time of the rape, when the incident occurred at home. '(She) was at home having breakfast when the accused, who lived in the neighbourhood, entered her house and raped her. At some point, the complainant's sister returned home, and the sound of her opening the gate disturbed the accused. The complainant managed to break free and ran to her sister. The accused escaped, running past the complainant's sister. She shouted at him, asking him what he was doing there, but he fled. The complainant then told her sister what had happened,' said Ramkisson-Kara.
