State's case against Vimpie Manthata falls apart as court finds him innocent

IN A dramatic turn at the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court, Vimpie Phineas Manthata and his company, Instrumentation for Traffic Law Enforcement (ITLE), and bookkeeper Judy Rose were acquitted of all charges in a SARS-led tax fraud case involving nearly R19 million.

- SIFISO MAHLANGU

The charges, stemming from the 2018/2019 tax period, alleged violations of the Tax Administration Act and deliberate submission of false returns.

But Magistrate Phindi Keswa ruled that the State had failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Delivering a firm yet gracious judgment, Magistrate Keswa commended the defence team for their clarity and legal precision: “Thank you for making my job easy by preparing such good heads of argument,” she said from the bench.

“The State could not find error. The State failed to distinguish between clerical oversight and criminal intent.”

She added that the prosecution's case lacked the evidentiary burden required to secure a conviction under the Act.