100 charges withdrawn against Mpisane

Shauwn Mpisane with her husband, S'bu File photo: Puri Devjee

Shauwn Mpisane with her husband, S'bu File photo: Puri Devjee

Published Jan 31, 2014

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Durban -

More than 100 charges against businesswoman Shauwn Mpisane relating to alleged fraudulent invoices were withdrawn in a Durban court on Friday.

Prosecutor Arno Rossouw told the Durban Regional Court that the charges against Mpisane had been withdrawn by the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).

When Rossouw told Magistrate Blessing Msani that the charges would be withdrawn there was a big round of applause from Mpisane's supporters in court.

The court was packed with her supporters and a large media contingent.

Mpisane was appearing in connection with the alleged inflating of her business invoices by almost R5 million to cut her tax bill.

Speaking outside the court, Mpisane said she and her husband were delighted with the verdict.

She complimented the NDPP Mxolisi Nxasana for “taking the right decision”. She also praised her legal team.

“One cannot say that it will end. There has been a misuse of power. The prosecutor suppressed the evidence. She (made) a mockery of the justice system.”

Mpisane, who was elegantly dressed and flanked by her husband as she spoke to the media, said an amount of R4.7 million was trivial when she had paid tax of more than R157 million.

“We should not have been dragged here. We just want peace and want closure. I am not a politician and I am not a public figure.”

Earlier in January, the State also withdrew more than 50 charges of fraud, forgery and uttering of a forged document against Mpisane.

She still faces charges in the Pinetown Magistrate's Court, where she stands accused of interfering with a State witness related to the tax fraud case. - Sapa

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