The vigour with which the investigating directorate (ID) recently made arrests in two cases related to state capture should be applauded. We have been calling for action against the alleged culprits and this started playing out last week — but what about the really big fish?
On Wednesday, former Tegeta Exploration and Resources director Ronica Ragavan, former trustee of Optimum Coal Mine Pushpaveni Govender and former deputy director-general in the department of mineral resources Joel Raphela appeared in court.
They stand accused of fraud, forgery, uttering, perjury and money laundering of R107.5m for mine rehabilitation funds for the Optimum Coal Mine Trust account and Koornfontein Mine Trust account in 2016.
On Friday, the National Prosecuting Authority’s ID made arrests in relation to the multimillion double invoice corruption matter at Transnet, involving the tender to secure financing to buy 1,064 locomotives.
Former group CEO of Transnet Siyabonga Gama, former acting group CFO Garry Pita, former group treasurer Phetolo Ramosebudi, Regiments shareholder Eric Wood and Trillian Asset Management current director Daniel Roy appeared in court.
They stand accused of contravening the Public Finance Management Act, fraud, corruption and money laundering.
One should applaud ID director Andrea Johnson’s push to hold those alleged to have been at the centre of, or facilitated state capture, accountable.
One should applaud ID director Andrea Johnson’s push to hold those alleged to have been at the centre of, or facilitated state capture accountable.
However, the measure of success will be on when these cases reach trial and conclusion.
The past few years have seen many of these cases struggling to reach trial stage.
Among the most notable is the Bosaa R1.8bn case in which the suspects, including former prisons boss Linda Mti, former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi and former Bosasa CFO Andries van Tonder, first appeared in the Pretoria specialised commercial crimes court in February 2019.
Three years later, the trial has not yet started.
Another case is the R191m “blue lights” tender case, for which the first suspects were arrested in November 2018.
Other notable accused, including former acting police commissioner Khomotso Phahlane and former deputy national police commissioner Bonang Mgwenya, were later added.
Four years on, the accused have yet to plead.
One hopes that these two new cases will go on trial soon and help realise the hard work that has been done by the ID over the years.
But not only that. Chief justice Raymond Zondo’s commission of inquiry into state capture found that former president Jacob Zuma, aided by ministers loyal to him, set out to capture Transnet. It all started with his insistence on the appointment of Gama, even though he was found unsuitable for the job.
It is time the ID turns its attention to those a bit higher up in the political food chain.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.