​

Durban – The assets of Durban tenderpreneur couple Shauwn and S’bu Mpisane will be held for at least another two months by the South African Revenue Service (Sars) as it prepares to seize more than R200 million in taxes from the flamboyant pair.

On Tuesday, Durban High Court Judge Kate Pillay granted the application sought by Sars to extend the preservation order that was originally granted in November.

The application, brought by Advocate Simon Anderton for Sars, was unopposed and there was no legal representative for the Mpisanes, who themselves were not present in court.

The order allowed Sars to seize and preserve assets from the Mpisanes as the tax authority prepares to claw back in excess of R204 million it believes it is owed in taxes from as far back as 2008, as revealed in court papers.

Those papers allege that Shauwn Mpisane owes R57 million of this in her personal capacity. While most of the assets are in Shauwn’s name, both S’bu and Shauwn have been targeted in the preservation order because they are married in community of property.

Their known assets include 128 cars and 10 properties, including their lavish La Lucia home which has played host to some of the city’s most extravagant parties attended by South Africa’s political elite, celebrities and business tycoons.

Over the last decade, the Mpisanes have secured over R1 billion in government business, predominantly to build low-income houses.

They are being represented by Johannesburg-based tax lawyer, Jennifer Faber from Faber Goëtz Ellis Austen Inc.

The preservation order was extended to March 13, by which time the couple is expected to submit “answering affidavits”.

The preservation order was brought against the couple and their companies Zikhulise Group, Zikhulise Cleaning Maintenance and Transport CC, Zikhulise Auto Restorers CC, Inyanga Trading 559 (Pty) Ltd, Royal Eagles Football Club and Zikhulise Auto Recoveries (Pty) Ltd as well as a Mr Madoda Mbeje, a trustee of the Mpisane family trust, the Sbusha Trust.

The Sunday Tribune reported late last year that the couple had been declared “factually insolvent” by Sars.

This is not the first time the Mpisane’s have had a run in with Sars.

In June 2011, Shauwn was criminally charged for VAT fraud and forgery, totalling 119 charges, at the Durban Magistrate’s Court relating to the 2008 tax year. A year later, she was re-arrested, this time for interfering with a state witness, who she allegedly tried to bribe with the offer of lucrative contracts.

This matter was heard at the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court.

In 2013, in an unrelated matter, Shauwn was charged again, this time at the Durban Commercial Crimes Court, for allegedly forging her construction company’s Construction Industry Development Board grading.

This alleged forgery allowed Shauwn to score contracts above her company’s competency between 2007 and 2013.

But by mid-2013, the State’s cases in the Durban and Pinetown magistrate courts began to unravel when Shauwn’s defence claimed the State’s lead prosecutor, Advocate Meera Naidu, had coached a key State witness and withheld information from the defence team.

Shauwn’s defence made representations to the then National Director of Public Prosecutions Mxolisi Nxasana where they alleged Naidu’s conduct was so serious it was a “miscarriage of justice”.

On January 31, 2014, the Nxasana, agreed, and stopped the tax-related trials in both Pinetown and Durban, acquitting Shauwn on some charges while withdrawing others.

Naidu was suspended pending an internal disciplinary hearing.

Sars had also formally withdrawn its support for the trial.

Coincidentally, just two weeks prior to Nxasana’s decision, the Commercial Crime Court also withdrew its charges on the grounds that the State was not ready to proceed.

Nearly two years later, in December 2015, Naidu was cleared of any wrongdoing in her handling of the Mpisane trial and returned to work.

African News Agency

Banyana Banyana striker Andisiwe Mgcoyi is confident they will do well against France when they meet in an international friendly match on Sunday, 22 January in Saint-Denis, Reunion Islands.

Kickoff is at 19h00.

The Europeans are ranked 3rd in the world and 2nd in EUFA while South Africa is ranked 5th on the continent and 51st in the world.
Mgcoyi says playing against top nations can only do wonders for the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana.

“This game is good for us because France is up there with the best, and playing against them will really help our game improve even more. Some of the players in the current Banyana Banyana squad faced the likes of New Zealand, USA and the Netherlands, and you could see how that helped lift their performance at the Olympic Games in Brazil where they also played other big guns like Brazil, Sweden and China. So this game is really crucial for us to try and improve as much as we can. We know it will not be easy but we are up for the task,” said Mgcoyi after their training session in Johannesburg.

The Mamelodi Sundowns striker missed out on the Olympics but was part of the squad that was in Cameroon for the 2016 CAF Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.

Mgcoyi admits that lack of goals at the tournament was their downfall.

“After the AWCON, where we finished fourth, and I think mainly because we didn’t score goals, I went back home and had a good look at my performance. If you think about it, at the Sasol League games I score many goals and I asked myself what could be the reason. The fact is that the standard of the league and international matches are very different, but we cannot use that as an excuse, we have to work harder until we get it right,” added Mgcoyi.

“We play well in the national team but don’t convert our chances, which is something we have been focusing on. As a striker I have to score goals because that is the job I have been called up for – and we must remember that scoring goals starts at training and it will be easier in the games, so it is all work in progress. But we are confident we will get a good result against France.”

The South African Senior Women’s National Team will have their final training session on home soil on Wednesday, 18 January before jetting off to Reunion Islands on Thursday, 19 January.

This will be the second meeting between the two nations – France won the first clash 3-2 back in 2009.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The fight between ANCWL in Bokone Bophirima and the so-called North West Business Forum (NWBF) is far from over. The ANCWL provincial secretary, Bridgette Mogakwe said they have noted the desperateness in which the so-called North West Business Forum continues to attack the ANC and its other structures.

“The ANCWL would like to make it clear to these frustrated business people that, we are an autonomous structure of the ANC and take our own decisions. We are not confused when we defend the good work that our provincial chairperson, Cde Supra Mahumapelo is doing.

“We talk about something that we and the people of Bokone Bophirima know.

We will not allow anyone who has left the ANC to come back and want to claim control of what they failed to show confidence in. We have worked hard to build the organisation,” Mogakwe said.

She further said it is very clear that there is peace and unity since Mahumapelo was inaugurated as both the ANC Provincial Chairperson and the Premier of North West province. Mogakwe added that they were unmoved by those who left the ANC and lost touch with what is happening in the movement in the process.

“It is because of that lack of knowledge that they are waging a dirty war for resources because they have forgotten the teachings of the ANC.

Our ANC President, Cde Jacob Zuma stressed the importance of unity in struggle in the January 8 Statement. The ANCWL recognises that part of its duty is to defend the ANC.

“Our movement will ensure that we achieve all that we have set out to do for our people. This year’s January 8 Statement called for the celebration of the life of the ANC’s long-serving President, Cde Oliver Reginald Tambo, who unashamedly fought for the emancipation of women,” she said.

Mogakwe further said for the first time in the province, they have a provincial chairperson who lives those values in Mahumapelo. She added that women have found a voice.

“This can be seen in the positions of influence they occupy in the province. From municipalities, to the provincial government administration led by Director General, Dr Lydia Sebego and the South African Police Service, whose Provincial Commissioner is a woman, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane. We also acknowledge the introduction of the Villages, Townships and Small Dorpies (VTSD) which is an economic approach. The initiative is a breath of life to our previously neglected poor areas.

“We know that it is largely this policy that is driving the so-called NWBF up the wall. VTSD ensures that even small businesses are empowered. Unlike in the past, when some established business people benefited alone. Our Provincial Chairperson has now opened the space for everyone to benefit,” Mogakwe said.

She further said women and mothers will not allow disgruntled business people to cause chaos in the province. Mogakwe said this will impact on vulnerable people.

“Women are most vulnerable group within the society. The same people who recorded the two songs making rounds on social media are not doing this for the first time. They failed in the past when they tried to sow divisions between Mahumapelo and the former North West premier, Thandi Modise.

“They once released a song attacking Modise. They are trying again and hiding behind supporting the songs because they agree with its content. However, they know very well that they are the funders and creators of these songs,” Mogakwe said.

She said NWBF members are politically bankrupt because they cannot even come out and stand for their own ridiculous acts.

However, NWBF spokesperson, Sello Mogodiri refuted the claims. Mogodiri said they did not produce the songs, however, they endorse them.

“The chicken have come home to roast. Mahumapelo is being given a taste of his own medicine. The NWBF wishes to remind Mahumapelo that during the period leading up to the 2014 general elections, he commissioned derogatory and defamatory music CDs about the then outgoing North West premier, Thandi Modise.

“In his desperate attempt to ascend to power by discrediting her, he also organized service delivery protests against Modise’s administration. So, the production of CDs has always been his idea,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY REGINALD KANYANE

RUSTENBURG Local Municipality successfully re-launched the Safe and Clean City Campaign recently. Acting municipal spokesperson, Andrew Seome said the main objective was, inter alia, to raise awareness amongst the residents of Rustenburg, members of the public and the entire society about the safe and clean environment.

“This involve all communities in keeping Rustenburg clean. The campaign has seen many successes especially as it relates to community safety, notwithstanding cleanliness of the city.

“As part of the Safe and Clean City Campaign, the municipality’s Public Safety department in partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS) embarked on uprooting illegal activities around Tlhabane policing area including drug trafficking, undocumented persons, human trafficking, and other crime related activities,” Seome said.

He further said six cases were opened in drug-related crimes front, twenty cases opened in undocumented persons’ front, and two cases of contravention of liquor Acts, where liquor is being sold without a license.

“Abandoned houses and addresses were identified where illegal activities usually take place. These details have been referred to relevant departments for further investigation.

“Furthermore, there were many other activities that the municipality was involved in, including, among others, illegal dumping sites that were cleared of rubbish, and attending to areas where other challenges were experienced, to meet the needs of the community,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By BAKANG MOKOTO

HEARTFELT condolences messages continue to pour in after the death of former councillor, Phenge Mngomezulu. Moses Kotane Local Municipality speaker, Sipho Vava said: “We expressed sadness on the passing of the former PR councillor, Phillip Phenge Mngomezulu this week. Mngomezulu served in the Moses Kotane Local Municipality as the Proportional Representative of COPE from 2011 until 2016.”

Vava said the funeral of Mngomezulu will take place at Mohlakeng Location, Randfontein on Saturday. He said that Mngomezulu’ soul will rest in peace.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

BY KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

THE Chairperson of Thuso Sports Development Centre (T.S.D.C) in Pampierstad, Thuso Phecheni said he is obsessed about sport development especially in rural areas. He said sport plays pivotal role within the society.

“Sport teaches us about life skills, teaches us about character, and provides a family and emotional escape. Most of us have applied skills we learnt from sport in our everyday lives. You also learn about time management, dedication and determination.

“I run a non-profit organisation called T.S.D.C. which aims to empower pupils through sport. We also address the importance of education, youth and community development,” Phecheni said.

A Motsweding village-born man said he was prompted by challenges facing the pupils in a daily life to establish the foundation. Phecheni, 36 further said that the youth are the most vulnerable group within the society.  

“Many of the youth no longer realise the important of sports. They spend most of their time indulging in drugs, alcohol, sex and crime. Most of the things they indulge in are not important. We have abundance of talent which goes unnoticed in our province. However lack of exposure is the main reason for that.

“Our province is not well-represented especially in soccer. Taung and North West province have few soccer players trading their talents in the elite league, Premier Soccer League (PSL). We have players capable to compete with the best in the country,” he said.

Phecheni further said North West province has never been represented during International Olympic Games. Pampierstad-based man took his soccer team to play with Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates Development team recently.

“Our Under 13 soccer team had a sizzling practise match against Orlando Pirates’ Under 13 team. We also played against a local team in Westbury Township, in Johannesburg.

“Westbury Township produced the legendary players like former Bafana Bafana skipper, Steven Pienaar and others despite the challenges. Our boys won both games and that showed that we have talent. We will continue to monitor the talent and polish it. The aim is to produce players with international standard,” Phecheni said.  

He added that: “We have realised that not all pupils excel academically. Pupils also need to be encouraged to follow their passion. They could also use their talent to better their lives and families. The support and monitoring will have an impact in reducing unemployment, poverty and inequality.

“The success of these youngsters will not only benefit them, but will also boost our economy and put our province on the map. We also aiming at building the centre that will capacitate the youth. The youth need to understand the importance of sport in the pursuit of a healthy and active lifestyle.”

“We develop and appreciate the concepts of fair play. We also promote honesty in any competition and good sportsmanship. We also have the capacity to maintain interest in sports. We prepare each pupil to be able to participate fully in the competitive, recreational and leisure opportunities offered outside the school environment,” he said.

Phecheni added that his organisation develop self-esteem and self-confidence through positive sporting experience. He further said education is very imperative.

“Being employed by University of Johannesburg, I’ve realised many challenges faced by our youth. Most pupils are technologically disadvantaged because of their background. The method of learning is computerized at the higher learning institutions.

“I also donated computers few computers to few schools in the area. We have also received numerous request of assistance from many schools. However, we were unable to reach out to many because of financial constraints. We have not received any funding from government yet, and we running the organisation from our own pockets,” he said.

Phecheni said he will organise a career exhibition for Grade 12s across Taung soon. He further said anyone who would like to donate anything to the foundation is welcome.

taungdailynews@gmail.com