In a joint statement issued on Friday 26 September, SARS and the OTO responded to a recent Sowetan article highlighting an increase in cybercriminals targeting taxpayer profiles and resulting in financial losses.

The institutions noted that at the time of publication, the OTO’s draft report had not yet been released for public comment and that the article contained “a number of factual inaccuracies.”

The organisations emphasised their distinct but complementary roles in South Africa’s tax administration. They are established in law to fulfil distinct yet mutually reinforcing roles for the sole benefit of taxpayers and the tax finance system for the country.

“SARS not only respects but considers the role of the OTO as an indispensable partner to ensure the functioning of the tax ecosystem is fair and beyond reproach. In this regard SARS has and continues to work hard to address whatever complaints that have been laid with the OTO,” the statement read.

The statement also emphasised that the two institutions play a paramount role in the functioning of tax administration. Each institution respects the other’s mandate, while both being the cornerstone for the fiscal integrity of South Africa tax ecosystem.

The OTO will release its draft report on 1 October 2025, following extensive engagement with all stakeholders.

Rising cybercrime risks

The OTO has been investigating compromised taxpayer profiles for more than a year, after receiving numerous complaints from both individuals and tax practitioners.

“In today’s digitally interconnected environment, cybersecurity risks have escalated dramatically, posing significant threats to individuals, businesses, and institutions.

“As personal and financial transactions increasingly migrate online, malicious actors exploit vulnerabilities in authentication protocols, data-sharing mechanisms, and user behaviour to perpetrate identity theft, fraud, and unauthorised system access. Even routine activities, such as accessing tax platforms or updating banking details, have become potential gateways for exploitation,” the statement said.

It added that SARS, as the custodian of revenue collection and refunds payment, is a prime target for cybercriminals exploiting vulnerabilities in online systems.

Cooperation and security measures

SARS and the OTO stressed that they maintain a cooperative relationship, with a shared goal of restoring public confidence in the eFiling system.

SARS said it continues to enhance security protocols to mitigate risks and urged taxpayers to remain vigilant by safeguarding login details and reporting suspicious activity through official channels.

“The release of the OTO’s draft report has been delayed allowing SARS to provide detailed input on preliminary findings, ensuring a comprehensive and balanced analysis.

“Whilst consultations have been extensive between the parties, parts of the draft may still carry areas of difference, which is to be expected in any review of this nature. This cooperative approach aims to strengthen the report’s recommendations and foster meaningful improvements,” the statement added.

Commitment to taxpayers

Both SARS and the OTO reiterated their unwavering commitment to enabling taxpayers to comply with their obligations safely and confidently.

The institutions urged taxpayers to remain cautious and report any irregularities through official SARS channels.

“We respect that the final report by the OTO will be made public soon, and SARS remain committed to continue its engagement with the public on its substance. The public must be assured though, that SARS continue to work with diligence to ensure the highest level of integrity and protection to taxpayers who uses the SARS digital platform,” SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said.

The Tax Ombud added that OTO takes the hijacking of taxpayer eFiling profiles very seriously.

“As an independent institution, the OTO ensures objective oversight and the fair treatment of taxpayers. The OTO upcoming draft report reflects extensive engagement with all stakeholders and is aimed at driving real, practical solutions,” OTO said.

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In the Vhembe District, coordinated operations by the MAJOC Roving Team, in collaboration with the Bloemfontein K9 Unit, targeted illicit trade in the Mphephu and Musina policing precincts. This operation led to the seizure of counterfeit goods and other illegal merchandise worth R6,694,227. In Musina, a high-speed car chase resulted in the interception of two BMW sedans suspected of transporting illicit cigarettes. After the occupants fled, police discovered several boxes of illegal cigarettes in the abandoned vehicles, valued at R729,891. Both vehicles were confiscated as part of the investigation.

On 17 January 2025, operations at shops in Mphephu led to the seizure of counterfeit cosmetics worth R154,030 and illicit cigarettes valued at approximately R1,726. The following day, in Musina town, operations at 10 shops uncovered counterfeit clothing valued at R6,222,435 and counterfeit cosmetics worth R119,675, bringing the total for the day to R6,342,110.

On 18 January 2025, the coordinated efforts of SAPS and SARS Customs led to the arrest of a 44-year-old foreign national for smuggling illicit cigarettes at the Beitbridge Port of Entry. The suspect, driving a white truck with a tanker trailer, was stopped by police, who discovered that the truck was fully loaded with illicit Remington Gold brand cigarettes. The cigarettes, valued at R14,449,363, were confiscated along with the truck and tanker, valued at R2.5 million. The suspect was arrested and is expected to face charges of smuggling illicit cigarettes in the Musina Magistrate’s Court.

These operations, which also included stop-and-search activities, route patrols, and foot patrols, are part of the broader efforts under Operation Vala Umgodi to combat illegal mining, curb the distribution of counterfeit and illicit goods, and protect local economies. Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, praised the police for their vigilance and effective collaboration in disrupting illegal trade at the borders, highlighting the significant impact of these operations on the fight against criminal activities in South Africa. Investigations are ongoing.

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The chase occurred along the R519 Bergenek road towards Zebediela on 23 August, when a black Jeep from Polokwane, fully loaded with illicit cigarettes, failed to stop when heeded by officers. The Jeep collided with a truck, overturned, and the driver, a foreign national, died on the scene. The truck driver and passenger sustained injuries and were taken to a local hospital, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said in a statement.

Two additional suspects, a South African and a foreign national, were arrested in a Toyota Rav 4, while a third foreign national was arrested in a white Ford Ranger, with both vehicles containing illicit cigarettes. A white Mercedes Benz van and charcoal Ford Ranger were recovered at Bergenek village in Westenburg policing area, still loaded with illicit cigarettes. It is believed an unknown number of suspects fled the scene before officers arrived.

All five vehicles, including the Jeep involved in the accident, were seized. Cases of culpable homicide, and possession and transportation of illicit cigarettes have been opened. The identity of the deceased suspect is still unknown.

Limpopo Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, applauded the persistence of officers, who pursued the suspects and recovered the illicit cigarettes. Hadebe further highlighted the ongoing fight against the smuggling of illicit goods, emphasizing the SAPS’ commitment to addressing cross-border crimes.

Last month, South Africa Police Service officers in the Free State, in conjunction with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), confiscated illicit cigarettes and arrested a suspect for corruption.

On the evening of 25 July 2024, Ficksburg SAPS members received intelligence-led information about the delivery of illicit cigarettes to take place in the border town. Members swiftly responded and when searching the premises, 119 boxes of illicit cigarettes worth an estimated R1.5 million were found at a house.

External stakeholders, such as SARS, were summoned for further investigation. The suspect has appeared in the Ficksburg magistrate court and was remanded in custody to 1 August 2024 for formal bail application.

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The officials were offered R200000 and R50000 after a truck loaded with 614 boxes of semi-manufactured tobacco to the value of R6 million entered South Africa via Beitbridge port of entry. 

“These upright officials demonstrated honesty and bravery as well as an important trait of serving with integrity and ethical conduct, something that must be applauded.

“Their ethical conduct also augurs well towards the professionalisation of the public service and should serve as a lesson to all public servants to give their selfless service to the people of this country,” said the commission in a statement.

The Musina Regional Court last week sentenced Nthapeleng Adler Munyai, a former Pamdozi Cargo International CC clearing agent, and Tsumbedzo Priscilla Nemangani Mashito, who used to work as a SARS customs external verification officer, to an effective 15-year direct imprisonment term on counts of fraud, forgery, and two counts of corruption.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Munyai and Mashito, who are both 47 years old, were arrested for permitting an interlink truck with two trailers loaded with semi-manufactured tobacco to enter the country from Zimbabwe in 2016.   

The pair used forged and fraudulent consignment clearance documents and processed them through the Beitbridge border control’s customs control area without compliance with the normal customs clearance process and procedures. 

However, an RTMC officer stopped the truck at the weighbridge after noticing that the registration plates of the truck and trailers did not match with the licence discs and wanted to send the truck back to the customs control area for an inspection.

The RTMC officer then contacted his senior who was off duty and asked for his intervention which resulted in the truck being sent back to the Beitbridge border control’s customs ramp, under police and traffic officials’ escort for inspection. 

However, Munyai offered a customs official R50 000 – which was later increased to R200 000 – which they turned down. 

According to PSC, the officials demonstrated a high standard of professional ethics.

The commission encouraged all public servants across the country to uphold the constitutional values and principles, which calls for professional ethics and accountability.

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