On Friday, 2 February, company director Candida “Candy” Crystal Smith (46) was found guilty and sentenced by the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court for fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act.
Her sentencing follows a South African Revenue Service (SARS) investigation that revealed that she had submitted false returns for the tax period 2019 to 2020.
As a result, SARS suffered a loss of about R472 701.
The case was handed over to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Bloemfontein, culminating in the sentencing.
Smith was sentenced to a fine of R300 000 or three years’ imprisonment, which is wholly suspended for five years.
She was also ordered to repay the remaining amount by 2029.
- wrote in 2020 that Welkom born and bred Candy Smith is the woman behind multiple platforms aimed at empowering young creatives in design arts in the Free State. She is a renowned businesswoman associated with ventures like Free State Fashion Week.
