The state, through the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit, has recovered almost R14bn from high-profile individuals and multinational companies accused of state capture.
The amount includes R6.12bn that has been confiscated or forfeited, R6.2bn that has been recovered and R2.2bn that was secured from the agreement with software giant SAP.
This was revealed by justice and correctional services minister Ronald Lamola in the National Assembly on Thursday during a Q&A session with MPs.
The cases are related to the evidence put before the state capture commission of inquiry into allegations of corruption that was chaired by chief justice Raymond Zondo. Dubbed the Zondo commission, the inquiry took four years to conclude and heard evidence on how critical entities of the state were abused, corrupted and run down by politicians, technocrats, businesspeople and multinational companies all working in cahoots.
The commission shed light on how critical state-owned entities such as SAA, Denel, Transnet and others were infiltrated.
The commission has since given its report to President Cyril Ramaphosa and recommended the prosecution of a string of individuals and companies.
Lamola said that this showed South Africa was making significant progress in its fight against corruption.
“South Africa is making progress in prosecuting high-profile individuals and corporate entities involved in corruption. The pursuit of justice is becoming a reality, benefiting both victims and perpetrators,” he said.
The NPA’s Investigating Directorate had declared 103 investigations, 37 of which had been enrolled as cases involving 208 accused people as of January 31 this year, he said. It has also secured two convictions, while seven court cases have been enrolled involving 21 Zondo commission recommendations.
Four cases have been enrolled by the NPA's special commercial crime unit.
The success in the recovery of monies lost by state institutions due to corruption can be attributed to the establishment and subsequent operation of the Special Tribunal in 2019
— Ronald Lamola, justice and correctional services minister
Lamola said through another entity, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the state had recovered an additional R3.1bn and stopped contracts worth almost R20bn.
“The government's anti-corruption efforts have shown significant progress in recent years, with the SIU recovering R3.1bn in cash and assets and overturning contracts worth R18.3bn through legal action. They have also prevented R11.1bn in financial losses through proactive measures.
“The establishment of the Special Tribunal in 2019 has expedited the recovery process for state institutions affected by corruption, with data analytics identifying high-risk sectors and common issues to provide effective recommendations. The Special Tribunal has improved efficiency by streamlining the recovery process, ultimately strengthening the fight against corruption in the country.”
The SIU prevented financial losses to the value of R11.1bn, he said.
“The success in the recovery of monies lost by state institutions due to corruption can be attributed to the establishment and subsequent operation of the Special Tribunal in 2019. The tribunal has made it possible for the SIU to expedite recovery of money and assets lost by state institutions through corrupt means.
“The Special Tribunal adjudicates civil proceedings arising from SIU investigations. Through the Special Tribunal, the SIU is no longer dependent only on the high courts to adjudicate on civil proceedings. Over the years, the SIU has experienced delays in the adjudication of civil proceedings arising from SIU investigations. These delays resulted in the delay in the recovery of monies and assets lost by state institutions.”
Lamola said that the integrated Fusion Centre which was established to address Covid-19 procurement-related corruption had enrolled 556 cases involving 1,393 individuals and 1,210 entities, resulting in the preservation or recovery of R1.81bn, while 125 cases had already been criminally prosecuted, with 61 convictions, involving 46 individuals and 42 entities, with only six acquittals.
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