Durban pensioner seeks answers over missing R37,000 tax refund! A 68-year-old Durban man, Jairaj Sathdav, is demanding answers after discovering that his R37,842 tax refund from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) was deposited into a TymeBank account he did not open. The retired Standard Bank clerk is seeking an explanation on how the account was opened in his name, leading to the disappearance of his refund.
The Unexpected Discovery
Sathdav, who regularly received tax refunds into his Standard Bank account, became concerned when his refund failed to appear after submitting his tax returns in July 2024. Upon visiting SARS offices in Umhlanga, where he had been assisted with his tax return, he was informed that the refund had been deposited into a TymeBank account.
“I bank with Standard Bank, and I don’t know who opened the account with TymeBank. It was not me or any member of my family,” Sathdav said.
TymeBank provided him with statements showing that an account in his name had received the refund. However, the funds had already been withdrawn, prompting TymeBank to advise Sathdav to open a fraud case with the police. He did so at Newlands East police station on July 30, 2024.
Police and SARS Investigations
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed that a fraud case involving tax refund money was under investigation. Meanwhile, SARS instructed Sathdav to submit a selfie, an ID copy, an affidavit, and other evidence by November 13, 2024. Failure to do so, they warned, would result in the closure of their internal investigation.
SARS spokesperson Siphithi Sibeko stated that their forensic team was investigating the matter thoroughly but could not disclose details due to taxpayer confidentiality laws. “Our team will interact directly with the taxpayer,” Sibeko assured.
TymeBank has yet to respond to questions emailed on February 12 regarding the fraudulent account.
How the Money Disappeared
The refund was deposited into the TymeBank account on July 3, 2024, and withdrawn in R2,000 increments daily between July 4 and July 22. According to the TymeBank statements, the account had been operating since November 2023. A previous transaction on November 11, 2023, showed a deposit of R821 by SARS, which was withdrawn on the same day.
This raised even more questions for Sathdav, who insisted that he had never opened a TymeBank account or submitted such details to SARS.
Frustrations with SARS and TymeBank
Despite his repeated visits to SARS offices in uMhlanga, Sathdav said he received no clear answers. “All they say is that the case is under investigation,” he explained. He noted that all previous refunds had been deposited into his Standard Bank account, where he had banked for 40 years.
Adding to the confusion, Sathdav claimed that when he called the SARS call center, he was informed that he owed SARS R39,000. “If I owe them money, how was the refund of R37,842 paid to TymeBank?” he questioned.
Seeking Justice and Clarity
Sathdav’s son, Vinall, confirmed that SARS had invited his father to an online meeting on February 17, 2025, to discuss the case. Sathdav remains determined to uncover how his refund ended up in the fraudulent account.
“I need to know who opened the account, when it was opened, and what documents were used. When you open an account, they ask for proof of address and an ID. How did they get those documents?” he asked.
Sathdav’s ordeal highlights growing concerns about identity theft and fraudulent banking activity in South Africa. As investigations continue, he hopes to recover his lost funds and receive answers from SARS and TymeBank.