Premier’s spokesperson slapped with tax charges
THE Limpopo government spokesperson has been slapped with charges relating to dodging Sars.
Ndavhe Ramakuela, provincial head of communication services, appeared before the Polokwane Commercial Crimes Court on Monday after he was summoned by law enforcement, facing charges of contravening the Tax Administration Act.
Ramakuela’s appearance in court on Monday comes at the time when he is answering questions to the media, as spokesperson, about another high-ranking official from the same office who was also arrested recently for fraud.
Director of Labour Relations in the office of the premier, Michael Maseko, was arrested on a different matter.
In reports, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said the embattled Ramakuela was accused of not submitting his income tax returns to the South African Revenue Service (Sars) for 10 years. She said after being charged, he was released on bail.
“The spokesperson for the Premier’s Office, Ndavheliseni Ramakuela, has appeared in the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for contravening a section of the Tax Administration Act when he failed to submit personal income tax returns. It is alleged that between 2007 and 2017 he did not pay his personal income tax to Sars.”
Malabi-Dzhangi added that the matter had been postponed to June 6 for trial.
On a national radio station yesterday, while speaking on another matter of a colleague who also appeared in court on Monday, Ramakuela said he could not comment on his court appearance, but referred questions to the Office of the Premier Chief of Staff, Willy Mosoma.
Mosoma confirmed that there was a civil case against Ramakuela by Sars.
“Mr Ramakuela has admitted to not filing his tax returns… He accepted that he did not pay tax returns since 2008, which was corrected between 2017 and 2023.
“Mr Ramakuela was never arrested and documents show that he is a taxpayer in good standing”.