On 28 February 2011, the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) obtained a restraint order of over R10 million in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act against former South African Revenue Service (SARS) employees, former and present UNISA academics and their business associates.
A restraint order was granted on 28 February 2011 by the Honourable Judge Webster in the North Gauteng High Court. The curator appointed by the court has started to restrain their property today, 3 March 2011, which will include the residential properties of the accused and all their businesses in which they were involved.
The criminal proceedings were postponed to 31 May 2011 in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court for a trial date to be set in the North Gauteng High Court.
The NPA believes such coordinated and integrated operations by SARS, NPA's Organised Crime Prosecution Division, the SAPS and AFU will send a strong message that the State is taking strong action against those involved in fraud and corruption, therefore the clean-up will continue unabated.
The accused face charges of racketeering, money laundering, various counts of fraud, offences of contravention of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 and contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004. The offences were committed during the period September 2007 to July 2009.
Enquiries:
Mona Moerane
Cell: 084 845 8260
E-mail: mbmoerane@npa.gov.za
