Question NW1660 to the Minister of Public Enterprises
18 June 2018 - NW1660
Motau, Mr SC to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(a) What number of cases relating to the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, Act 12 of 2004, as amended, have been referred to the (i) SA Police Service (SAPS) and (ii) Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) by (aa) his department and (bb) each entity reporting to him for further investigation since the Act was assented to and (b) what number of the specified cases have (i) been investigated by SAPS and DPCI, (ii) been followed up by the respective accounting officers and (iii) resulted in a conviction in each specified financial year since 2004?
Reply:
DPE response
a) The Special Investigating Unit is currently working with a team comprising the DPCI and State-Owned Companies’ (SOC) Forensic Units to inter alia address current and historical allegations of corruption in the SOCs. Among others, the team is seized with reviewing forensic reports that have been commissioned by the SOCs in order to:
(i) Ascertain the number and status of matters that have been referred to SAPS;
(ii) Ascertain the number and status of matters that have been referred to DPCI.
The efforts are meant to ensure that where prima facie case of corruption exists, the law enforcement agencies move to seize assets that are proceeds of corruption. Furthermore, the work is also meant to establish matters that the Boards and Executive of SOCs failed to refer for criminal investigation by relevant law enforcement agencies and matters that could expeditiously result in the conviction of those implicated in allegations of corruption concerning SOCs.
(aa) The question relates to a period that spans 14 years. Consequently, at the time of responding to the question, the Department had confirmed that one case of corruption and fraud was referred to the SAPS and the related investigation is still underway.
(bb) To date seventy nine forensic reports commissioned by SOCs concerning matters of malfeasance, fraud and corruption have been referred to the SIU for review. The team comprising SIU, Asset Forfeiture Unit and the DPCI is seized with the review of the reports. Furthermore, the SIU is currently conducting work in line with Proclamation No 11 of 2018 that authorizes investigation into allegations of malfeasance, fraud and corruption in Transnet and Eskom. A motivation will be submitted to Denel to address allegations of corruption in Denel.
b) (i)(ii)(iii) The review and reconciliation of records being done independently by the team led by the SIU should assist in ascertaining the completeness and status of all matters that have been referred to law enforcement agencies and convictions if any, which have been registered to date.
All the efforts mentioned above are fully aligned to the commitment made by the President during the State of the Nation Address that this is the year to turn the tide of corruption in public institutions. Therefore, the team led by the SIU should be allowed to continue its work in order to reveal facts behind the questions posed and the information that the SOCs has over the years submitted to the Ministry.