Mpisane fraud trial to continue

Durban businesswoman Shauwn Mpisane's fraud trial will continue in the Durban Regional Court on Tuesday.

 

On Monday, the court heard that Mpisane was "punished" for making a voluntary disclosure to the SA Revenue Service (Sars). Rafiq Bhana SC, for Mpisane, said his client was "a taxpayer making every effort to regularise their [tax] affairs", but that the Sars "nailed" her in 2005 when she made a voluntary disclosure. Bhana, who was cross-examining Sars tax auditor Waheeda Osman, said this was why his client sought legal advice when Sars questioned her during the lifestyle audit of her husband, Sbu Mpisane.  

 

Shauwn Mpisane is accused of inflating invoices by more than R5 million in a bid 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. On Friday, Osman told the court she was instructed to reduce Mpisane's tax bill in January 2011. The court heard Mpisane's business declared a dividend of R10.5 million in 2007 and a R47 million dividend the following year.

 

-Sapa