Duma Ndlovu Faces Court Over R25 Million Tax Evasion Charges

South African filmmaker and poet Duma Ndlovu faces legal trouble after being charged with tax evasion totaling R25 million. The acclaimed creator, known for his work on popular TV shows like Imbewu: The Seed and Muvhango turned himself in to authorities at Brackendowns police station on September 30.

Ndlovu, along with former tax practitioners Rodney Mutsharini and Maxwell Mloyi, appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court. The charges, which include non-submission of tax returns, fraud, and tax evasion, stem from allegations that they misrepresented financial information to the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Ndlovu is accused of misreporting both income tax and corporate tax for his company, Ambobrite, which he co-owns with musician Mandla KaNozulu.

This isn’t Ndlovu’s first brush with controversy, but the current charges present a serious challenge for the filmmaker, who has long been a prominent figure in South African culture. His legal team has requested the exclusion of media from court proceedings to protect his family’s privacy—a request that has sparked debate about the balance between privacy and transparency for public figures in legal matters.

The case has drawn attention to the financial practices of high-profile figures in the entertainment industry. Prosecutors allege that Ndlovu and his co-defendants underreported income, leading to widespread public interest in the case’s outcome.

Ndlovu was granted bail set at R100,000, with conditions including no contact with state witnesses and regular check-ins with the police. This legal battle now casts a shadow over his distinguished career, which has been defined by his contributions to South African theater and television, as well as his efforts to foster emerging talent.