Mpisane 'used luxury cars on construction sites'

03 May 2013 - 02:40 By Nivashni Nair
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Businesswoman Shauwn Mpisane. File photo
Businesswoman Shauwn Mpisane. File photo
Image: TEBOGO LETSIE

Durban's queen of bling, Shauwn Mpisane, told the South African Revenue Service that she bought a Lamborghini, BMW M3, Porsche and Hummer to use in her construction business.

But SARS audit specialist Waheeda Osman was unconvinced and told Mpisane that she could not claim input value added tax as her fleet of luxury vehicles was not part of the stock of her company, Zikhulise Cleaning, Maintenance and Transport.

Mpisane, who has amassed a multimillion fortune from municipal tenders and low-cost housing contracts, lost 60 of her cars when the Asset Forfeiture Unit confiscated the fleet in February.

She is accused of submitting false financial statements to SARS to reduce her company's 2008 tax bill.

The 119 charges against her relate to tax evasion and fraud, and to contravening the Close Corporations Act by remaining the sole member of a business despite being convicted of tax fraud in 2005.

She has pleaded not guilty.

Osman yesterday told the Durban Regional Court that Mpisane owed SARS R33-million in 2008.

Mpisane's financial statements submitted in 2009 showed a R73.8-million net profit and a dividend of R47-million paid to her.

Months later, she submitted revised financial statements and these reflected a lowered dividend of R28-million.

Osman said on investigation, it was discovered that several of her invoices were forged.

The case continues.

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