Mpisane fraud trial to continue

The fraud trial of Durban businesswoman Shauwn Mpisane will continue in the Durban Regional Court on Wednesday. 

 

On Tuesday the court heard that Mpisane's firm had a history of under-declaring its tax obligations and hastily making a voluntary disclosure to the SA Revenue Service (Sars} when it was investigated. Under cross-examination from Mpisane's lawyer Rafik Bhana SC, Sars tax auditor Waheeda Osman denied that Sars had been vindictive in its actions against Mpisane and her business. 

 

Mpisane is accused of inflating invoices by more than R5 million in an attempt to cut her tax bill. She is also accused of violating the Close Corporations Act by remaining the sole member of Zikhulise Cleaning, Maintenance, and Transport CC when she had a previous fraud conviction. She has pleaded not guilty.   Bhana said Mpisane was attempting to regularise her tax affairs and that Osman had been aware since April 2008 that Mpisane had a previous conviction.

 

He said Mpisane's conviction "was no secret", yet she was allowed to continue trading. "This was a witch hunt against the Mpisanes," he said. On Tuesday both Bhana and Mpisana's other lawyer Jimmy Howse accused the prosecution of suppressing evidence which would be favourable to her case.

 

-Sapa