Members of Parliament have lashed out at a government entity tasked with tackling corruption for entering into plea bargains with "hard-core" criminals fleecing the state.
The standing committee on public accounts expressed shock and dismay yesterday when it was told by the Anti-Corruption Task Team that 41 serious commercial crimes involving millions of rands in government contracts had been settled through plea bargains in the 2015/16 financial year alone.
This means that those accused of defrauding the state escaped without facing trial and merely paid fines.
The task team was established in 2010 to fast-track high-profile corruption cases and is co-chaired by the heads of the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority. The NPA's Nomvula Mokhatla outraged MPs when she reported that all but one of 42 commercial crimes had been resolved with plea bargains.
Scopa chairman Themba Godi said they were considering calling a meeting with the political leadership of the task team, which includes Police Minister Fikile Mba-lula, Justice Minister Mike Masutha and Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba.
Godi said his committee "has a feeling that there is a lack of political leadership over the process to make its impact felt on the ground".
"Our problem is plea-bargaining . it means there's no case that was prosecuted to the end," said Godi.
The EFF's Ntombovuyo Mente said: "This presentation now from the NPA just sends shivers down my spine.
"A sophisticated criminal, then you plea bargain with him," he said, referring to a case where an accused installed software into the financial system of a municipality to siphon off money.
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