Corruption-Accused Businessman Thoshan Panday Granted R100K Bail In Tax Fraud Case

Thoshan Panday, a businessman accused of corruption and tax fraud, has been granted bail of R100,000 by the Durban Magistrate’s Court. Panday has been in custody since September, following his arrest on charges related to tax fraud.

This is not Panday’s first legal battle. He is also facing charges of racketeering, fraud, and corruption tied to a R47 million Fifa Soccer World Cup tender scandal, alongside former KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Mmamonnye Ngobeni and others.

The scandal revolves around the awarding of South African Police Service contracts to Panday’s company to provide accommodation during the 2010 World Cup.

Thoshan Panday Tax Fraud Details

The state has accused Panday of misrepresenting information to the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to evade tax, assist others in evasion, or secure undue tax returns. The 27 counts of tax fraud he faces have allegedly caused SARS potential prejudice exceeding R7.5 million.

Panday’s initial bail application in the tax fraud case was denied after the court found that he had violated previous bail conditions.

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The state argued that after Panday’s passport was returned for business travel to Turkey, he used a previously reported “lost” passport to travel to the United States instead. This breach of conditions led to his initial bail denial.

Upcoming Court Appearances

Investigative Directorate spokesperson Henry Mamothame confirmed that Panday is scheduled to appear in the Durban High Court on 15 February 2024 for both the tax fraud and corruption cases.

Last month, it was revealed that Panday, a former business partner of Jacob Zuma’s son Edward, had spent several weeks in private hospitals instead of being held in Westville prison. Allegations surfaced that both Panday and convicted Pietermaritzburg prisoner Rajivee Soni had bribed officials to secure preferential treatment.

In response, Correctional Services Commissioner Makgothi Thobekgale launched an investigation, and Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald conducted spot visits at the implicated facilities.

The outcomes of these investigations have yet to be disclosed.

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