R26 million tax fraud case: 36 accused hauled before Durban court

A total of 36 accused, 18 individuals and 18 entities, have appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court this week on charges linked to alleged tax-related irregularities

A total of 36 accused, 18 individuals and 18 entities, have appeared in the Durban Magistrate's Court this week on charges linked to alleged tax-related irregularities involving service providers contracted by the eThekwini Municipality.

In a statement released on Friday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the accused appeared before the court between July 7 and July 10, 2026.

"The accused face a combined total of 93 charges relating to fraud and contraventions of the Tax Administration Act. The alleged offences involve an estimated amount of approximately R26 million," said the NPA.

The charges stem from alleged tax-related irregularities involving companies that provided services to the municipality between 2017 and 2021.