Actress and TV producer Sonia Mbele failed to arrive at the Johannesburg magistrate’s court on Wednesday where she was due to appear for allegedly contravening tax administration.
The case, involving Sonia Mbele and business partners Yolisa Gqunta and Rebone Sesing, was postponed to October 5.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the matter was postponed after Sonia Mbele missed her appearance due to an illness.
“Mbele submitted a medical certificate stating that she is booked off-sick until 3 October 2023,” NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwana said in a statement.
The accused are the directors of hit reality TV show Real Housewives of South Africa which is aired on 1Magic.
The NPA did not divulge the amounts owed by the trio, only stating that the accused are facing 42 counts of failing to file company income tax from 2019.
“The Real Housewives of South Africa [directors] are facing 42 counts of not filing company income tax from 2019 to 2022, not filing their value-added tax returns from 2020 to 2022, and also not filing their pay-as-you-earn from 2020 until 2022,” the NPA said.
Mbele, the Blood and Water actress, faces an arrest if she misses her next court date.
“The case has been postponed to 5 October 2023 for Mbele to appear in court and the co-accused to be granted legal aid.
“An application was made for Mbele’s warrant of arrest to be issued and has been held over until 5 October 2023,” Mjonondwana said.
Mbele was cast in SABC1 soapie Generations through which she rose to prominence. In the soapie, she played Ntombi Khumalo up to 2011.
In 2009, Mbele won the Golden Horn award for best actress in a TV soapie at the South African Film and Television Awards.
She became the first black celebrity to be named face of Dark & Lovely, Lux, and Sun-Silk in South Africa.
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