John Martin Gradwell Bantam (44) appeared at Cape Town Regional Court on several charges (121) of fraud of almost R 700.000 on 4 September 2018.
Bantam was employed as a tax practitioner by a reputable Chartered Accounting Firm in Cape Town. He recruited 28 taxpayers around Cape Town, completed their income tax returns and claimed fraudulent refunds on their behalf in exchange for money.
He registered all his clients through e-filing without the knowledge of his employer and submitted fraudulent claims for business losses and inflated medical expenses.
Bantam was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment.
The Hawks’ Provincial Head in Western Cape, Major General Nombuso Portia Khoza welcomed the sentence imposed on Bantam. General Khoza appeals to the community to act positively by reporting economic crimes to the authorities for investigation.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
