'Muvhango' executive producer Duma ka Ndlovu's court case postponed again

Muvhango creator Duma ka Ndlovu's tax evasion and fraud case has again been postponed.

Ndlovu is a prominent TV producer with several dramas and telenovelas under his belt, including one of the longest-running soapies, Muvhango on SABC2. He is also the creator of Uzalo, the telenovela with the highest number of viewers since it aired on SABC1 10 years ago.

He appeared in the Palm Ridge magistrate's court on Wednesday. His  lawyers made representations to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for the charges to be dismissed. They argued the NPA did not have a case against him as the SA Revenue Service (Sars) and the NPA only started investigating him after his arrest on September 30. Ndlovu has maintained he is innocent. 

Ndlovu was represented by advocate Lawrence Hodes, instructed by Fluxmans Attorneys.

As a result of his arrest, Ndlovu said he has suffered “irreparable damage”, as his professional and business reputations have suffered. “I am a law-abiding citizen and Sars and the NPA know that this is a baseless witch hunt meant to bring me down. It will not succeed.”

In their request for a postponement, the NPA said the prosecutor assigned to the case is on sick leave.

The case was postponed to June 3.

Social media users reacted to the postponement.

“This is sad to happen to someone like you who has done so much for this country. It is sad because many actors have lost their jobs because someone is targeting you. Inkosi ikuphe amandla amatsha [May God give you strength]. I'm sorry you have to go through this after everything you have done,” posted a user.

Another said: “Standing with you Gatsheni and wishing you all the best kuyo yonke lento [Wishing you all the best in this thing]“.

A third said: “Eventually light must come after dark, you will be all right Gatsheni.”