On Tuesday, 28 March 2023, Members of the North West Provincial Legislature Hon. Mmoloki Cwaile together with Hon. Aaron Motswana and Hon. Freddy Sonakile held a meeting with the Directorate For Priority Criminal Investigations (DPCI) known as the Hawks to discuss progress registered on criminal cases opened against government corrupt officials.
This follows the decision and resolution made during several portfolio committee meetings together with the Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA), to open criminal cases against acts of officials at government departments and municipalities, who may have committed corruption and fraud, and irregularities occurring and re-occurring at an unprecedented rate to the detriment of service delivery.
Amongst some of transgressions noted was the erroneous transfer of more than R134 million at the Bojanala Platinum District Municipality that was not recovered; criminal cases on the appointment of NTI Business Rescue Practitioner (BRP) and irregular business transactions at NTI Group; Greater Taung Local Municiplaity (GTLM); Department of Human Settlements; Dr Ruth Segomotsi District Municipality; Maquassi Hills Local Municipality and many other establishments.
"We as Public Representatives have the responsibility to hold the government departments and municipalities accountable, we also have constitutional obligations to act against real or perceived acts of corruption and fraud fearlessly, with no regard to who commits such acts. We are convinced beyond a shadow of doubt that opening criminal cases is the only resort left to explore given the arrogance and untruths of the government officials and deployees,” said Hon Cwaile.
According to a report presented by the Hawks in the meeting, it is expected that arrests will soon be made. The South African Express Zondo report case is also in court with substantive evidence to ensure successful convictions.
Members of the North West Legislature appreciated progress recorded by the Hawks on most of the reported cases, and made note that many other cases would be opened and that previous cases opened would be followed through.
“A series of set of meetings with the Hawks will be arranged to continue to administer processes of opening more criminal cases and sharing notes, to increase prospects of successful convictions at courts through availing additional critical information being acquired over the period of time,” said the Hon Cwaile.
He also said media briefing will be scheduled soon to communicate progress of cases lodged by Members of the North West Legislature.
Namhla Luhabe
Tel: 018 392 7000
Cell: 079 527 0628
Fax: 086 695 3784
E-mail : namhla@nwpl.org.za
