KEY POINTS
- Vimpie Manthata and Judy Rose are facing charges of R19 million tax fraud.
- This criminal investigation is related to the SAPS R191 million blue lights corruption situation.
- SARS officials have given their first testimonies today; the trial restarts on Thursday.
The Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court is continuing the trial for tax fraud against Vimpie Phineas Manthata, Instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement and bookkeeper Judy Rose.
New testimony from the South African Revenue Service has led to the further postponement of the trial to Thursday, due to its association with the scandal caused by the police’s “blue lights.”
Authorities speak about R19 Million worth of irregularities
From allegedly wrong tax activities during the 2018/2019 fiscal year, Manthata and Rose are facing charges of fraud and Tax Administration Act violations, approximated at R19 million. Rose is said to have helped carry out the scheme as she managed the company’s bookkeeping.
It was Henry Mamothame, head of Investigating Directorate, who said the state’s case had begun using testimony from an important SARS official. A different witness also testified and will come back to the court for cross-examination by the defense.
Apart from corruption tax fraud relates to a larger SAPS Blue Lights corruption case
Apart from tax fraud, they are also part of an investigation into corruption over unfair SAPS police contracts worth nearly R191 million. They are each on R10,000 bail and must return when the trial resumes.
Further witnesses are likely to come forward on Thursday, sharing any new details that show the link between the tax case and SAPS corruption. Legal experts anticipate that the trial could set a precedent for financial accountability in state-linked contracts.
As proceedings continue, the public and anti-corruption watchdogs remain attentive to the implications this case may have on future procurement oversight and governance.
