On 27 September, she was meant to appear at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court on charges of contravening the Tax Administration Act along with her former business partners from Real Housiwives of South Africa (RHOSA), Yolisa ‘Pebbles’ Gqunta and Rebone Sesing. However, due to ill health, she submitted a doctor’s note showing she had been booked off. The matter was postponed to 5 October and yet again, former actress and TV producer Sonia Mbele did not show up for the same reasons.
BOOKED OFF
Sonia says that she submitted a doctor’s note to the National Prosecuting Authority, and it was taken into record. "So, it confuses and derails us on why these allegations haven been highlighted to make it seem like she has been ducking and dodging these allegations, to top it off Sonia is still not well and has gone yet again today to the doctor for further check-up, but she is still working to settle her name which has been dented by her previous peers and the media," a statement sent out on her behalf reads. "This stems as a valuable lesson for me on a business end that the best way of doing things, without any litigation or unethical conduct attacking you from behind, is to go into business alone knowing your own standards and how you conduct business. As a businesswoman, being ethical is the core of her success and she just wants to get this hurdle out of the way and proceed with her newfound company Sonia Mbele Films," the statement concludes. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane says Sonia’s absence from court came due to ill health after submitting a doctor’s note. The NPA revealed that it had applied for a warrant of arrest, however it would not be issued until her next appearance date on 20 October, and this would be her last chance.
THE CHARGES
The trio was due to appear before the Johannesburg Magistrates Court for Tax evasion yesterday. RHOSA are facing 42 counts of contravening the Tax Administration Act after failing to file their tax returns from 2019 to 2022, as well as not filing their Value Added Tax (VAT) returns from 2020 to 2022, as well as not filing their Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) from 2020 until 2022. ZiMoja previously reported on Sonia falling ill and being hospitalised for two weeks due to fatigue caused by overworking and anxiety. She, however, asked her doctor to discharge her a day before the premiere of her reality show as it was going to raise eyebrows.
FALLING OUT
Their now non-existent company, RHOSA, was behind the lavish Real Housewives Of Johannesburg season one. The trio went their separate ways after citing irreconcilable differences and were forced to close the company. Reports stated that the disagreement was due to Sonia’s request to become the company’s major shareholder. Head of PR & Publicity at M-Net’s Local Entertainment Channels at the time Philly Kubheka said at the time that The Real Housewives of Johannesburg was unaffected by the company shutting down.
