In a statement issued by the South African Police Service, two men and one woman have been arrested for fraud and corruption for diverting 27,000 kg of poultry meat to avoid paying customs duties and VAT.

The two men were arrested for contravention of the Customs and Excise Act, fraud and corruption. One of the suspects initiated a bribe of R800,000 (approximately USD$52,000) to members in order to evade arrest. The woman who brought the cash was also arrested for corruption.

Upon further investigation, the police were led to another company also suspected of defrauding SARS. Upon searching the said premises, four containers containing imported poultry meat were recovered and the owner could not produce legal papers.