Everything you need to know about Lusizo Mvula Henna
Lusizo Mvula Henna, the celebrity chef sentenced for defrauding SARS.
Lusizo Mvula Henna, a 41-year-old celebrity chef and owner of Blaque Olive Private Cheffs, received a 10-year prison sentence for 6 counts of fraud and a 6-year sentence for 14 counts of money laundering from the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. Magistrate Keswa discovered that Henna claimed undue VAT refunds totaling R 5.3 million, of which SARS paid out R 3.1 million. There were no trading activities in Blaque Olive’s bank accounts to support these claims. The court determined that these claims were solely submitted to defraud SARS. After receiving the R 3.1 million in his bank account, Henna laundered the funds within 14 days by transferring them to relatives, friends, and others associated with him.
Advocate Marius Oosthuizen, representing the State, presented evidence explaining the harm caused to the fiscus by schemes like these. He argued that only direct imprisonment would be appropriate for crimes against the fiscus, as they negatively impact the government’s ability to provide services. Oosthuizen also emphasized that dealing strictly with offenders of such schemes would improve South Africa’s status in terms of financial crimes. He stressed the importance of the justice system sending a strong message to those who loot the fiscus.
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