Cape Town – Celebrity chef Lusizo “Sizo” Henna has reportedly been handed a 10-year prison sentence for defrauding the South African Revenue Service (SARS) of R5 million.
Henna, as owner of Blaque Olive Chefs submitted a fraudulent R5.3-million VAT claim, of which SARS paid out R3.1 million, reported The Citizen.
He was found guilty of six counts of fraud and received an additional six years imprisonment for 14 counts of money laundering, the report said.
Meet Lusizo Henna, a celebrity chef who happened to also cook books
has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment pic.twitter.com/nsHbaPFGAa
— Aphelele Jody (@ApheleleJody) April 22, 2024
The court found no evidence of trading activities in his accounts to support his claims, According to Times Live.
Henna quickly laundered the R3.1m he received in his account within 14 days, transferring the money to relatives and friends, said the report.
Prosecutor Marius Oosthuizen argued for direct imprisonment, stressing the impact of fiscal crimes on the government’s ability to provide services.
The NPA praised Oosthuizen and the investigation team for holding Henna accountable.
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Compiled by Samantha Mochele
