Hundreds show support for Mpisane
2011-07-11 12:58
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Durban - Hundreds of people gathered outside the Durban Magistrate's Court on Monday to support controversial Durban tycoon Shawn Mpisane as she appeared on tax evasion and fraud charges.
About 600 people from Umlazi and employees of the Zikhulise Cleaning, Maintenance and Transport company turned up to back Mpisane, the wife of former metro policeman Sbu Mpisane.
Thandinkosi Sosibo, a community member from Umlazi organised buses to transport members of the community to court because he believed Mpisane was innocent.
"When I look at the situation I realise that Shawn is being accused of a crime she did not commit. We do not know her as a criminal," he said.
He described Mpisane as a good person who helped in the community by supporting schools and families that were struggling financially
"We believe she is being targeted because she is black."
Sosibo reiterated that they knew where Mpisane came from and what she had done to achieve her success.
"If the charges against Mpisane are not dropped we will have to find plan B to resolve this but we will not use violence."
Mpisane handed herself over to the police in June after the SA Revenue Services and Hawks raided her posh Durban home.
She came under scrutiny when it emerged that her husband was spotted driving expensive cars. He was still a police officer when the story broke.
It was widely reported that the couple was super-rich with a fleet of luxury cars including a Rolls Royce Phantom and Lamborghinis.
They also owned a R15m mansion.
In 2009, it was reported that the couple received R219m from the eThekwini Municipality to build low-income houses on 4 500 sites in Umlazi.
However, the National Home Builders' Registration Council found defects in more than 1 000 of 3 000 houses built by Zikhulise Cleaning, Maintenance and Transport, owned by the Mpisanes.
Of the defects, 30% were serious and required major renovations.
The Mpisanes were known for their lavish parties, which are attended by politicians and celebrities.
- SAPA
