BURS insider tax fraud
Mpho Mokwape | Monday August 1, 2022 06:00
The tax collector allegedly lost the funds as the employee, Principal Revenue Officer Ronald Kgano is alleged to have stolen tax returns and in the process bought numerous properties.
He has since been slapped with a suspension from duty.
According to information reaching Mmegi, the employee allegedly bypassed the tax system, colluded with people who had companies, and in the process submitted fake tax returns while stealing millions from the tax coffers.
Quizzed about the case and seizure of his properties, Kgano denied allegations that he has stolen from the employer.
"I haven't stolen the alleged millions of pula.
This issue involves some head honchos at BURS, I'm only used as a scapegoat and even the alleged property seized in my name has its owners who in the fullness of time shall be revealed," Kgano told Mmegi this week. In future, he said he prefers to speak through his attorney.
The alleged fraud was uncovered by the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) in collaboration with BURS and the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS). The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) was roped in to get hold of the properties through the Office of the Receiver while investigations continued.
In an ex-parte application filed by the DPP that Justice Itumeleng Segopolo of the Gaborone High Court heard on July 14, the state was granted an order to get hold of the properties.
According to the court documents, the matter was heard urgently and a temporary order returnable on August 4 was issued for the Receiver to seize the alleged property.
“A rule nisi returnable be and hereby issued calling upon any interested party to show cause why an order putting the property under restraint should not be made final,” read the order.
The order was concerning the listed properties, being all suspected to have been bought through the proceeds of the alleged stolen funds.
*Ploughing field situated at Monwane Lands; Lot 22759 situated at Magokotswane ward in Molepolole.
*Red Bhero YTO tractor of registration B284BPT
*JCB 3DX Front Loader registered B151BOU
*JCB 3DX Back Loader registered as B614BPD
*Blue Volvo F12 Tipper Truck registered B153BFG.
*White Toyota Dyna registered as B918BPH.
*Blue Toyota Dyna truck registered B169BPW.
*White Toyota Land Cruiser pickup registered B198BHK.
*Bronze Toyota Hilux pickup as registered B714BOV.
*White Nissan Atlas truck registered as B918BOM.
*Silver Toyota Hiace minibus registered B547BOM.
*White Toyota Hiace minibus registered B816BOY.
*Blue Sedan Toyota Camry B379BOR.
*Blue Toyota Run X B842BOZ.
*Black VW Polo B477BPN.
*White Toyota Land Cruiser B360AZW.
*White Isuzu DMax B201BMC.
*BHDH disc harrow
*BHDP disc plough
*BHVP vegetable planter
*BHMP maize planter
“The Receiver shall immediately take full possession, control and custody of the above-listed properties pending investigations or institution and finalisation of proceedings for a civil penalty order and the civil forfeiture order,” reads the order.
The order also instructed that Molepolole Sub Land Board endorse the customary land grant specified in the order with restrictions that the property should not without prior permission of the court be attached, sold in execution, further mortgaged, or otherwise.
Further, the order explained that any person who has a financial obligation in respect of the listed properties to fulfil such obligations, including any obligations relating to mortgage bonds, insurances, vehicle finance, rates, taxes, licences, utilities such as water and electricity accounts, and all interest incurred in respect of such obligation pending investigations and or finalisation of forfeiture proceedings unless the person signed consent to judgment in favour of the state.
“Any member of the law enforcement agencies is hereby authorised to assist the Receiver to take full possession, control and custody of the listed property,” stated the order.