A CONTROVERSIAL businessman who was exposed by Sowetan for allegedly pocketing tens of thousands of rands from stokvels is accusing this newspaper of ruining his marriage.

In August we reported that stokvels invested with Simon White's Stokvel Company (SC), lured by promises of high returns.

White, who is the chief executive of SC and Stokvel Media, which publishes Township Propertyand Stokvel Times, deducted UIF and PAYE contributions from his employees over two years.

White admitted to pocketing R600000 instead of paying the money over to Sars and other relevant authorities.

White has now written to the office of the press ombudsman disputing this.

White's former financial manager, Alcina Brink, this week lodged complaints with Sars and the Labour Department.

Brink said: "I went to Sars to claim the refund due to me and they told me that I should talk to Simon because he never paid the money over. I have also reported him to the Labour Department because his former employees can't claim from UIF and they are putting pressure on me."

A Labour Department employee, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed Brink's complaint.

Sowetan confronted White at his Kya Sands mansion about the latest developments yesterday.

He said: "My wife is divorcing me. You can pat yourselves on the back. You are determined to destroy me. I am one of your conquests. Go ahead and finish me off."

Sowetan asked him about claims that he made a killing from his burial and savings investment plans called My Stokvel Loyalty Card.

"We refunded some. We want to refund all but we are having cash flow problems.

"An employee made false promises and now we are sitting with problems," he said at the time.

Rekaofela Club in Soweto, Boikarabelo Club in Kroonstad, Free State, were among those who accused White of taking them for a ride.

Paulos Khumalo of Rekaofela said his club had paid R10000 in monthly premiums and a R500 joining fee into White's funeral plan.