Bellville court convicts security firm, director for tax fraud

The Bellville Regional Court has convicted Xiphos Security Services and its director, Philip Johannes October, on multiple charges related to tax evasion and fraud.

Hawks Spokesperson Siyabulela Vukubi says the convictions followed a Section 112 plea agreement. The charges include fraud, tax evasion, and failure to pay taxes such as Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), and the Skills Development Levy (SDL).

“It is alleged that the company and October submitted false information on VAT returns to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) during the period of October 2015 and March 2020,” says Vukubi.

The case has been postponed to February 3, 2025 – for sentencing.