MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mark Furness and his co-accused, Marie Francis’ representations to possibly have their tax-related case withdrawn were unsuccessful.
In April, the State and the accused had reached an agreement representations for possible withdrawal of the matter would be made directly to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Cape Town.
Furness is the Mossel Bay Municipality’s Portfolio Chairperson for Finance. He is, however, being accused in his personal capacity.
The George Magistrate’s Court heard today, Tuesday 30 September, that the feedback from the DPP was that these representations were not successful, and that the State would go ahead with the case.
The case was thus postponed to 31 October for plea negotiations between the State and the accused to take place. Should these negotiations be unsuccessful, the accused will enter a normal guilty plea, whereafter the magistrate will determine the sentence.
The case concerns tax-related charges involving the business, Bardins Jewellers, in which Furness and Francis have 75% and 25% interest respectively. They are facing 14 counts of tax-related offences.
Previous articles:
- Finance chair to appear in court, charges unrelated to work, says mayor
- Finance chair, co-accused appear: 14 counts of tax offences
- Mossel Bay finance chair court case postponed due to outstanding docket
- Mossel Bay finance chair to appear in court again in April
- Furness, co-accused to ask Director of Public Prosecutions to withdraw charges
- Furness, Francis to appear again in June
- Furness, medebeskuldigde, se saak weer uitgestel
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