Question NW1330 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
05 May 2022 - NW1330
Khumalo, Dr NV to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
With reference to the investigation and the report of the Special Investigating Unit into procurement by all spheres of government of goods, works and services associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, which was authorised by the President of the Republic, Mr M C Ramaphosa, on 23 July 2020, what total (a) amount has been recovered to date out of the multiple of billions in cash and other resources that have been stolen from COVID-19 funding, (b) number of arrests have been made and (c) number of sentences have been handed down?
Reply:
a.) The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has to date obtained preservation orders to the value of R157 744 720.20, and forfeiture orders to the value of R120 255 279.80. Some of the forfeited funds have already been paid back to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), the State or victims.
b.) The total number of arrests and/or court enrolments that have been made to date is 132. These relate to 87 natural persons and 45 juristic persons (entities).
c.) The total number of sentences that have been imposed to date is 19. These relate to five (5) natural persons and thirteen (13) juristic persons (entities).
i.) Five (5) natural persons were charged and convicted of theft, fraud, forgery and uttering relating to claims from the UIF.
ii.) Thirteen (13) juristic persons (entities) were charged and convicted of contraventions of Section 234(a) read with Section 22(1) of the Tax Administration Act 28/2011 and further read with Sections 1 and 23(1) of the Value Added Tax Act 89/1991.
Sentences imposed range from a term of imprisonment, fines as well as suspended sentences.