Sars targets R100m fraud in Imuniti case

Johannesburg – The South African Revenue Service (Sars) is investigating fraud totalling R100m in the case involving the raid at AltX-listed healthcare group Imuniti's head offices on Tuesday.

In an interview with Fin24.com, Sars' communication office said investigations were ongoing, and divulging details would compromise the investigation.

"All I can confirm at this stage is that the amount involved is R100m, and there hasn't been any arrests made," said Sars' Sibabalwenathi Mfabe.

Imunti on Wednesday issued a statement to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange News Service confirming that its Durban head offices were raided on Tuesday by Sars officers, but no police were present. 

It said six individual taxpayers, including some shareholders of Imuniti, were listed in the search warrant, but added that none of its subsidiaries, directors, executives or staff was mentioned in the search warrant. 

"The Imuniti staff present co-operated fully with the Sars team throughout the day in their investigation and provided them with all the information requested. It was absolutely clear that the Sars investigation related to the possible infringement of one of the Tax Acts on the part of one or more parties," it said.

The statement said Imuniti's board was not aware whether the investigation into a 'fraudulent investment scheme' involving a product (immune booster packs) for HIV/Aids sufferers as was announced Gordhan in Parliament on Tuesday, in any way related to the company. 

"If so, the board is completely unaware of such a scheme or such an investigation," the company said.        

On Tuesday, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan told parliament - according to I-Net Bridge - a company listed on AltX was suspected of involvement in a fraudulent multi-million rand investment scheme which preyed on vulnerable targets.

Tax, financial and enforcement agencies had executed an early morning clampdown on the company, Gordhan said. The early morning raids were carried out in Pretoria and Durban by Sars investigators, assisted by SA police.

"This time the product is a so-called immune booster pack for HIV/Aids sufferers," Gordhan told MPs.