It will also allow the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to improve its capacity in dealing with financial crimes uncovered during the inquiry chaired by chief justice Raymond Zondo.
“Funding will also be allocated to the NPA to increase capacity in specialised tax units and the Investigative Directorate, procure specialist prosecution services for complex matters, appoint forensic auditors and accountants to deal with high-priority forfeiture matters, establish a digital forensic data centre and finance increased witness-protection operational costs.
“As has been done with Bain, we will continue to take punitive administration against companies and individuals who have facilitated corrupt and irregular activities.”
Speaking at a press conference before Godongwana’s speech, SA Revenue Service commissioner Edward Kieswetter said the majority of cases of financial crimes, such as VAT fraud, are being won and matters are being referred to the NPA for prosecution.
“We’ve handed 132 cases to the NPA this year. We’ve finalised 57, [56 of which] had a guilty outcome. I’m talking [sentences of up to six years in prison]. We have one acquittal. So it’s a conviction rate of 98% in terms of cases we handed to the NPA.”
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MID-TERM BUDGET | State finds cash to pay best brains for state capture, financial crime cases
Image: Karen Moolman
Finance minister Enoch Godongwana has allocated R8.9bn to law-enforcement agencies to bolster the fight against corruption and state capture.
This is according to the 2022 medium-term budget policy statement he delivered in parliament on Wednesday.
Godongwana said the department of justice and constitutional development has reprioritised its budget to release funds to anti-money-laundering agencies such as the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) to boost capacity to implement recommendations of the state capture inquiry.
“Additional funding will enable the FIC to increase its human resources capacity and help the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) initiate civil litigation following state capture commission recommendations,” said the finance minister.
It will also allow the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to improve its capacity in dealing with financial crimes uncovered during the inquiry chaired by chief justice Raymond Zondo.
“Funding will also be allocated to the NPA to increase capacity in specialised tax units and the Investigative Directorate, procure specialist prosecution services for complex matters, appoint forensic auditors and accountants to deal with high-priority forfeiture matters, establish a digital forensic data centre and finance increased witness-protection operational costs.
“As has been done with Bain, we will continue to take punitive administration against companies and individuals who have facilitated corrupt and irregular activities.”
Speaking at a press conference before Godongwana’s speech, SA Revenue Service commissioner Edward Kieswetter said the majority of cases of financial crimes, such as VAT fraud, are being won and matters are being referred to the NPA for prosecution.
“We’ve handed 132 cases to the NPA this year. We’ve finalised 57, [56 of which] had a guilty outcome. I’m talking [sentences of up to six years in prison]. We have one acquittal. So it’s a conviction rate of 98% in terms of cases we handed to the NPA.”
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
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Progress made in reversing effects of state capture at 'targeted, weakened' state institutions: Ramaphosa
NPA welcomes Ramaphosa’s response to state capture recommendations
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