Three people have been arrested in Mpumalanga over an alleged R1,806,252.95 SARS fraud involving fraudulent tax and VAT returns, the Hawks said. The Middelburg Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit moved in after SARS lodged a complaint over submissions made between 2019 and 2021. The suspects allegedly face fraud, money laundering and contraventions of the Tax Administration Act. Thandiwe Patricia Mokwena, 33, Thabiso France Motsoeneng, 32, and Sfiso Doctor Mokwena, 28, were arrested on Monday after warrants of arrest were executed. According to the Hawks, Maps Africa Holdings (Pty) Ltd, of which Thandiwe Mokwena is a director, was at the centre of the alleged scheme. Investigators allege the company colluded with the two accused and one outstanding suspect when submitting fraudulent tax returns for the period 2019 to 2021. The Hawks also allege fraudulent VAT returns were submitted for the same period to claim VAT refunds from SARS. They say the alleged conduct caused prejudice to SARS totalling R1,806,252.95. After their arrests, the three appeared in the Witbank Magistrate’s Court and were granted bail of R7,000 each. The matter was postponed to October 28 pending the arrest of accused number four, with the Hawks continuing the investigation.