United Kingdom action on corruption collaboration strengthens mutual co-operation
The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Ronald Lamola, MP, has welcomed measures taken by the United Kingdom as well as its courts in assisting South Africa by taking action against individuals who are accused of having committed fraud and corruption in South Africa.
In particular, the arrest of Michael Lomas in London in connection with the Kusile fraud and corruption case as well as the imposition of very strict bail conditions in his case is to be welcomed.
Mutual international cooperation goes a long way in the fight against corruption. Often inaction by international actors on matters of corruption may inadvertently aide individuals who are suspected of malfeasance and corruption to evade justice in one jurisdiction by finding refuge in another.
Cooperation of this kind shows that the United Kingdom values her bilateral relations with South Africa. The United Kingdom has also put into operation it's Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regulations 2021 to ensure that sanctions relating to serious incidents of corruption are enforced.
Twenty-two individuals have been added to the Global Anti-Corruption Sanctions Regime and on Monday, in a statement to the United Kingdom Parliament, the British Foreign Secretary, the Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP, announced that the United Kingdom is imposing sanctions on Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta, and their associate Salim Essa for their roles in “a persistent pattern of corruption in South Africa which caused significant damage” to the South African economy and its people.
In the interest of international cooperation in the fight against corruption, we look forward to other jurisdictions acting in concert with the actions of the United Kingdom to strengthen existing efforts in the fight against corruption on a global front.
“This action taken by the United Kingdom and its justice system affirms that mutual international cooperation is essential. The fight against corruption will only succeed if both domestic and international frameworks are implemented and if corrupt individuals and companies, as well as those who help them, are aggressively pursued across the globe,” said Minister Lamola.
Enquiries:
Chrispin Phiri
Ministry Spokesperson
+27(0) 81 781 2261
