Rehana Rossouw
The attorney general of the Cape of Good Hope is considering taking action against a former American dentist, now resident in South Africa, for tax evasion, it emerged in the Cape Supreme Court this week.
Dr Robert Hall, who is suing The Argus and the monthly investigative news magazine noseWEEK for a total of R1,6-million for defamation following articles published in 1994, admitted that he was investigated by the Commercial Crime Unit of the South African Police Service.
The editor of noseWEEK, Martin Welz, made an application to the court asking it to order that Receiver of Revenue officials consult his attorneys to disclose the files of Hall, his wife and several companies and trusts he is associated with. Hall did not give evidence during the presentation of his case last week and Welz’s legal team were unable to question him on his dealings with the Receiver.
In an answering affidavit, Hall said some of the information was sub judice because of the investigation into his financial affairs. He said the investigation was sparked by a former business partner who was ”waging a vendetta” against him and had provided ”disinformation” to the police.
”The investigation has been in progress for several years and is only now coming to a head. It appears I am to be charged with income tax evasion and with offences relating to the exchange control laws. I understand that the police docket has already been referred to the attorney general for a decision,” Hall’s affidavit read.
Welz’s application failed after Judge JH Conradie ruled it was ”misconceived”. He said during his judgment that it was common cause that Hall had not paid any income tax since he was granted South African citizenship in 1981.
Two journalists gave evidence at the start of Welz’s defence. Gary Collins said Hall told him PW Botha had once sent him to America to investigate the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act and to try and persuade former US president Ronald Reagan to veto it. Hall also told him former Foreign Affairs Minister Pik Botha had sent him to lobby US senators.
Eikestad Nuus reporter Hennie Malan told the court Hall had organised a meeting of the Free Cape Movement in April 1993 where Inkatha Freedom Party leader Dr Mangosotho Buthelezi was the main speaker. His newspaper published a photograph of Hall and Buthelezi together.