Dr. Kurunalingam Chetty (54), a medical practitioner from East London, has been ordered to pay a R500,000 fine after being convicted of tax evasion in the East London Regional Court.
The case stemmed from a joint investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit, the South African Revenue Service (SARS), and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), leading to Chetty’s arrest in 2023. He appeared in court shortly after his arrest and was released on R10,000 bail.
Investigations revealed that between 2015 and 2018, Chetty deliberately under-declared his income to SARS, resulting in a tax shortfall exceeding R1.8 million. The discrepancies were uncovered during a routine audit, prompting SARS to escalate the matter to law enforcement.
After multiple court appearances, Chetty was sentenced on 13 May 2025. The court imposed a 10-year prison sentence, fully suspended for five years, on condition that he does not reoffend by committing fraud, theft, or tax-related offenses during this period. Additionally, he was fined R500,000, with an immediate payment of R50,000 required. The remaining R450,000 must be settled in monthly installments of R25,000 over 18 months.
This case underscores the consequences of tax fraud and the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in combating financial crimes.
