The high-stakes tax fraud trial connected to South Africa’s controversial SAPS “blue lights” scandal has resumed, drawing serious attention to allegations of deep-rooted financial misconduct and corruption.
Vimpie Phineas Manthata, the head of Instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement, and his co-accused, Judy Rose, appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrates’ Court this week. The pair are facing charges of tax fraud involving about R19 million, dating back to the 2018/2019 tax period.
Rose, who worked as a bookkeeper for the company, is accused of helping facilitate the fraudulent activity.
According to Investigating Directorate spokesperson Henry Mamothame, the prosecution began presenting its case on Monday. A senior official from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) was the first witness to take the stand. A second SARS official began testifying before the trial was adjourned and is expected to return Thursday for cross-examination.
But that’s not the whole story.
Both Manthata and Rose are also implicated in a separate, major corruption case involving the South African Police Service (SAPS). That case centers on allegedly irregular R191 million contracts awarded for the supply of emergency “blue lights” and equipment—raising questions about how public funds were handled.
For now, the pair are out on R10,000 bail each, with the court warning them to return as the trial continues.
Thursday’s session is expected to bring more revelations as state witnesses dig deeper into the financial dealings that have rocked both tax authorities and the police service.
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