Bonang Matheba didn't show up in court for a tax case – now she could face an arrest warrant

Bonang Matheba (Photo: Gallo Images)

• A bench warrant has been issued for TV personality Bonang Matheba after she failed to appear in court on Thursday.
• Matheba stands accused of owing taxes dating back 10 years in her personal capacity and 5 years in her professional capacity.
• Should she fail to appear on October 4, a warrant for her arrest will be issued.
• And she's not the only famous person in the dock.

A bench warrant has been issued for TV personality Bonang Matheba after she failed to appear at the Special Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday.

The warrant has been held over until October 4.

"Should she fail to appear then a warrant for her arrest will be issued and [she] will be arrested wherever she is," says National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.

See also: The 18 biggest mistakes you can make on your tax return this year

Matheba was to appear before the court on tax charges for both her personal tax liability and to represent her company. According to court records, she stands accused of not paying her personal tax between 2008 until 2017, and her company's tax between 2014 and 2017 is also outstanding.

The state would not reveal how much she owes in total.

Matheba has been the face of international make-up brand Revlon, liquor brand Courvoisier, as well as been the host of this year's Miss South Africa pageant among others.

She will be a host at this year's Global Citizen Festival to take place in Johannesburg on December 2.

Matheba is currently in New York where she moderated a panel discussion with Canadian and French presidents Justin Trudeau and Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Theresa May at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on Wednesday.

The star initially denied allegations of tax fraud after Sunday World reported last month on the allegations.

Channel24 reached out to her representatives who also denied the allegations.

According to the NPA, Matheba was summoned to the court on 10 September. Her attorney Charl Coetzee told the court she received the invitation to the UN on 17 September.

An apology letter was apparently sent on 25 September to beg off on the appearance. The State has described this as unacceptable because Matheba knew – before accepting the UN invitation – that she was due in court.

"Bonang will not receive special treatment and will be treated like everyone else," says Mjonondwane.

Rapulana Seiphemo walks out of court with his lawyer. (Photo: Papi Morake)

Matheba is one of two public figures named by the prosecuting authority as in default on their tax affairs. Soapie star Rapulana Seiphemo appeared before the court on Wednesday. He allegedly owes the taxman R48,713.02 in personal taxes as well as R111,500 in penalties.

His case has been postponed until 18 October, giving him time to make representation to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

According to the NPA, Seiphemo failed to submit his personal tax returns between 2013 and 2017.

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