Today's arrests and seizure of assets by our law enforcement agencies are a confirmation that government's resolve to combat corruption remains unwavering.
A multi-agency investigation team constituted by the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigations, commonly known as the Hawks, South African Police Service (SAPS); the National Treasury and the Asset Forfeiture unit (AFU) culminated in the simultaneous takedown operation in which a total of eight people (five businessmen and three government employees) were today arrested in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Cape Town.
They will appear before court on charges that include corruption, fraud and money laundering to the tune of R200 million. The investigation was initiated in 2008 following allegations of procurement irregularities in which two provincial Health Departments (Kwazulu-Natal and Northern Cape) and one company, Intaka Holdings (Pty) Ltd were involved.
On the basis of meticulous investigations carried out, our law enforcement agencies are able to allege and will prove that, Intaka fraudulently and corruptly secured tenders for the supply of water purification plants and the supply of oxygen as well as medical gases to hospitals in Kwazulu-Natal and Northern Cape.
As it takes two to tango where corruption is involved, this investigation was no different. Members of the supply chain management were successfully recruited to participate in a scam by those outside public service, who's selfish and narrow interest it was, to simply line up their pockets at the expense of the state.
Those who succumbed to this temptation, those who were supposed to be in the first line of defence of State resources, effectively participated in a scam that transcends corruption, one that amounts to economic sabotage of excessive proportions in real terms.
How does anyone justify a water purification plant valued at R420 000 being sold to a government department at R4 million? The impact on government's ability to deliver services is simply debilitating given the limited resources within which we have to deliver these services.
To counter the scourge of corruption, our government and the security cluster in particular, will intensify efforts to investigate and fearlessly prosecute those involved in corrupt activities, regardless of where such people may be found, whether in public service or in private sector.
In collaboration with my colleagues in the cluster, and in terms of my performance agreement, I have undertaken to go after those who sponsor the lavish lifestyles they lead through committing acts of corruption that include looting of State resources.
Let me make the targets blunt on this one, for the remainder of my term of office, I will pursue at least 100 people who enterprise in corruption and take assets to the value of R500 million. The pursuit is on. Today's arrests and seizure of assets must send a message as clear as a bell, to every doubting Thomas that there indeed is a political will on our part to combat corruption.
As government we have noted with concern that there are low conviction rates on corruption cases notwithstanding the elaborate legislation we have in place. We have put these targets in place in order to address this concern.
Working together with members of the public, I will ensure that a joint and multi-agency approach consisting of the police or the Hawks, the National Treasury, the Special Investigating unit, the South African Revenue Service, the AFU and the National Prosecuting Authority at large maintain the momentum in the fight against corruption. We have begun to turn the tide against corruption.
Going to jail for crime and corruption is seen only as an occupational hazard of a temporary nature by criminals. They expect to come out at some stage and hope to enjoy the benefits of their ill-gotten gains.
To them we say, we will relentlessly pursue those who organise crime and corruption and seek to benefit from it. We have today seized assets that include luxury vehicles that include a Maseratti, Range Rover, Ferrari, and S class Mercedes Benz; a Lear private jet in Cape Town, two luxury hotels, two farms in Pietermaritzburg, two lodges and other expensive movable items of value.
All these have an estimated value of R200 million which is the quantified value of benefits that flow from the crimes we allege they have committed. By taking away the proceeds of crime from criminals, we hit them where it hurts the most and send out a never changing message that crime and corruption do not pay. They only invite hardships!
Today's arrests have marked a conclusion of but another phase. The eight people who in a short while will appear before court were not the only ones. We will arrest and prosecute more people in the near future. Let us all make effort and work together to make South Africa a hostile place towards crime and corruption. The pursuit is simply on!
Enquiries:
Tlali Tlali
Tel: 012 357 8217 or 021 467 1700
Cell: 082 333 3880
Source: Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
