Director Tshepo Khoza of Grey Apple Trading Enterprise (Pty) Ltd, was found guilty on three counts of fraud, one of which falls under Schedule 5 category (serious crimes) and one count of failing to register for Value-Added Tax (VAT) in contravention of section 234 of the Tax Administration Act.

The Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) in collaboration with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and other law enforcement agencies were successful to put behind bars Khoza for tax fraud after he was linked to systemic corruption within state procurement processes.

The conviction followed the extensive investigations under Project Blue Lights, which uncovered that Grey Apple Trading Enterprise received tenders from the South African Police Service (SAPS) linked to the DNA project that resided under forensic science laboratory.

The tenders were awarded due to Khoza’s family relationship with a senior SAPS official.

This was despite the fact that Khoza was earning approximately R3.6 million between 2015 and 2018.

Khoza falsely declared the company to be dormant and failed to declare income to SARS.

The corruption trial for other people who are charged with Khoza will resume on 22 February 2026.

SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter together with IDAC Head, Advocate Andrea Johnson acknowledged the teamwork that led to this conviction, reinforcing the public’s trust in joint efforts to uphold tax compliance and fight corruption.

“Tax fraud is not a victimless crime. It is theft from the national fiscus and, ultimately, from the millions of South Africans who depend on government services for education, healthcare and social support. Every rand stolen through fraudulent schemes undermines our country’s ability to deliver on its constitutional mandate.

“SARS will not tolerate such conduct. We will pursue every case relentlessly, and those who choose to defraud the system must know that accountability is certain and justice will prevail,” he said.

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Nqola immediately honed in on Matlala’s questionable relationships with police officers, repeatedly challenging him on why uniformed officers were running his personal errands. Matlala ultimately conceded that he had indeed sent a police sergeant to buy batteries for his boat, a revelation that raised eyebrows across the room.

From there, the pressure intensified. Nqola confronted Matlala with alleged fronting, inconsistencies in his statements about tender processes, and a series of suspicious WhatsApp conversations that appeared to contain coded language. Matlala admitted he had only seen the WhatsApp bundle the night before, but struggled to explain the unusual terminology and the context of the exchanges.

As the questioning escalated, Matlala appeared increasingly unsettled. Nqola pressed him on his ties to senior police figures, including individuals alleged to have influence over SAPS tender processes. He also challenged him on accusations of associations with criminal networks, placing particular emphasis on claims involving drug cartels and the so-called “big five” operating in Gauteng.

The committee room grew tense as Nqola interrogated Matlala on payments made to various intermediaries, investigators and politically connected individuals. Matlala insisted that the payments were for accommodation and legitimate assistance, but Nqola pushed him hard on why these transactions appeared irregular and whether they were intended to influence outcomes within law enforcement and government structures.

Throughout the exchange, Nqola exposed major contradictions in Matlala’s testimony, forcing him into several damaging concessions that contradicted earlier statements made under oath. By the end of the session, the atmosphere was electric as MPs and observers recognised that Nqola’s line of questioning had fundamentally weakened Matlala’s narrative.

The dramatic exchange marks one of the most consequential moments of the hearings so far, raising fresh questions about corruption networks, police relationships and the integrity of high-value tenders. With more witnesses still expected, the pressure on the inquiry continues to mount.

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