State gets last chance to bring Kebble tax fraud charges

Argument for dismissal of the case by Kebble’s defence advocate, Max Hodes SC, fell on deaf ears. Hodes said: ‘This case is a waste of time which has not only caused him gross prejudice but also cast a dark cloud over his head as a well-known businessman.’ Kebble (68) was expected to go on trial on charges related to the non-submission of tax returns and the under-declaration of income, says a report in The Times. He allegedly owes SARS R7.2m, following his failure to declare income received by his close corporation, Skilled Labour Brokers. State prosecutor Marius Oosterhuizen requested that the court grant a further postponement. However, Hodes objected to the postponement on the grounds that the case had already been postponed seven times without setting a trial date. He argued that charges were laid against Kebble in 1999 and summons was served in 2002. He said: ‘This case is an example of an unreasonable delay.’ Full report in The Times