Tax Evasion and Fraud: High-Profile Convictions Highlight Risks of Non-Compliance

This week, Dr. Fabian Royston Tun (55), also known as “the pain doctor,” was found guilty in the Kimberley Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for not submitting eight personal income tax returns and 42 VAT returns between August 2016 and June 2023. Although he earned over R17 million from 2015 to 2022, Tun failed to pay his taxes. He was arrested in a joint operation by SARS, the Hawks, and the National Prosecuting Authority’s Tax and Financial Crimes Unit. Tun pleaded guilty and received a suspended two-year prison sentence and fines of R10,000 per count, which were partially suspended. He has since submitted all his outstanding tax returns.

In another case, former director of Fluxmans Attorneys, Solomon Slom (81), appeared in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on fraud charges involving R39 million. Slom allegedly withdrew money from an escrow account without permission between 2019 and 2024, making 145 unauthorised transactions for personal use. The fraud was discovered after one of the parties involved in the escrow agreement alerted Fluxmans, exposing a R39-million shortage. Slom was released on bail and will return to court on 12 September.

These cases show the importance of ethical financial practices and compliance, highlighting the serious consequences of fraud and tax evasion.