Latest news with #Mamothame
The Citizen
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Sars official testifies against company linked to blue lights corruption case
The accused are facing charges of fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act, involving an estimated R19 million. The high-profile South African Revenue Services (Sars) tax fraud trial involving businessman Vimpie Phineas Manthata, his company Instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement, and co-accused Judy Rose, resumed in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court on Thursday. The matter was postponed on Wednesday for further trial. Blue lights corruption trial The trial started on Monday, with the state leading its evidence in chief through a senior official from Sars. The second witness from Sars took a stand prior to the adjournment and is expected back in court to be cross-examined by the defence attorney. Charges Manthata is facing charges of fraud and contravention of the Tax Administration Act, during the 2018/2019 tax assessment period, to which an amount of approximately R19 million is involved. He is charged along with his company, Instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement and Rose, who is employed as a bookkeeper in the company. ALSO READ: Court dismisses application by 'blue lights' corruption accused to bar media coverage Saps fraud Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame said the accused are also facing corruption charges in a separate corruption case relating to an alleged irregular contract within the South African Police Service (Saps), valued at approximately R191 million. A further payment of R22 million was stopped as a result of the investigation into the matter by the ID and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid). 'Manthata and Rose are out on R10 000 bail each,' Mamothame said. Denel corruption In a separate matter, two former Denel senior officials have been given time to study the docket before their next appearance in court for corruption Former Denel Board of Directors Chairperson, Lungisani Daniel Mantsha, and his co-accused Zwelakhe Nhlanganiso Ntshepe, a former Group Chief Executive Officer, appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court last week. Mamothame said the matter was postponed to 30 July 2025. 'The case was postponed for them to familiarise themselves with the contents of the docket and compare it to the docket disclosures provided by the state in a USB, to that of the original docket, prior to the start of the trial. 'Their R30 000 bail was extended and they are expected back in court when the matter resumes,' Mamothame said. ALSO READ: Ex-Denel chairperson, former CEO to study docket of corruption
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Ex-Denel chairperson, former CEO to study docket of corruption
They are accused of playing a role in the irregular approval and establishment of a Denel Asia joint venture between 2014 and 2018. Two former Denel senior officials have been given time to study the docket before their next appearance in court for corruption Former Denel Board of Directors Chairperson, Lungisani Daniel Mantsha and his co-accused Zwelakhe Nhlanganiso Ntshepe, a former Group Chief Executive Officer, appeared in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crime Court last week. Docket Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) Henry Mamothame said the matter was postponed to 30 July 2025. 'The case was postponed for them to familiarise themselves with the contents of the docket and compare it to the docket disclosures provided by the state in a USB, to that of the original docket, prior to the start of the trial. 'Their R30 000 bail was extended and they are expected back in court when the matter resumes,' Mamothame said. ALSO READ: Former top Denel officials granted bail in corruption case Charges Mantsha and Ntshepe are accused of being involved in the irregular approval and establishment of the Denel Asia Joint Venture between VR Laser South Africa (VRLSA) and the private Hong Kong company Denel Asia. Mamothame said the duo allegedly disregarded a directive by the finance minister stipulating that all transactions relating to Denel should be subject to the approval of the finance and public enterprises ministers. 'This was following the finance minister issuing a guarantee to Denel in the amount of R1.8 billion. They are also accused of receiving gratification for their alleged involvement in facilitating the deal. 'It was further discovered that confidential information relating to the affairs of the Board of Directors was disclosed between July 2014 and May 2016,' Mamothame said. Denel Mamothame said there were further discoveries of disregard for the Public Finance Management Act stipulations by allegedly awarding bursaries without the required authority to do so. Denel, a South African state-owned aerospace and military technology conglomerate, is said to be a 51% shareholder in Denel Asia, while VRLSA holds 49%. ALSO READ: AFU seizes properties, bank accounts worth millions from ex-DRC defence attaché
