Courtroom Drama in Thoshan Panday Tax Fraud Trial as Judge Rejects Bid for Remote Testimony

The Durban High Court witnessed intense legal arguments over the fraud trial of Thoshan Panday, accused of defrauding SARS of R7.3 million..

Tension filled the Durban High Court on Tuesday as legal teams battled to navigate the complexities surrounding the fraud trial of Durban businessman Thoshan Panday, who has been accused of tax evasion amounting to R7.3 million by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

SARS' fraud and tax evasion claims against Panday are linked to corruption allegations stemming from the 2010 Fifa World Cup police accommodation tender that was awarded to his company, Gold Coast.

The issue of contention during Tuesday's proceedings centred on whether a key witness for the state, Shikar Panday, could testify remotely.

Shikar Panday is the co-owner of the company that was tasked by Gold Coast to assist with its tax compliance matters.