ID wants improved access to Zondo commission evidence
The National Prosecuting Authority says it needs better access to the evidence gathered by the state capture commission if it is to heed growing calls for criminal prosecutions.
The NPA has come under fire for what many believe has been a tardy response to the release of the first four reports of the commission of inquiry into state capture.
All four reports detail how hundreds of millions of rands were lost to fraud and corruption over several years at various state-owned entities, including Eskom and Transnet.
The NPA’s Investigating Directorate, which has been set up to prosecute those involved in state capture, says it recently met with the commission to appeal for more access to the thousands of pages of evidence gathered over the past four years.
In his latest report the commission’s Raymond Zondo recommended that the NPA look into the evidence to see it is able to pursue criminal charges against implicated individuals, including former Eskom executives.
NPA Investigating Directorate spokesperson Sindisiwe Seboka says the commission agreed to do what it can to assist the NPA.
“The two entities are committed to ensuring a seamless transition phase of the commission’s work, to the extent that they may translate into criminal cases, asset forfeiture recoveries, or other sanctions which the courts will deem fit. Ending impunity for high-level corruption and state capture cases is a priority for the country.”
Seboka says the Investigating Directorate has so far declared 82 investigations and enrolled 20 cases arising from the work of the commission.
A total of 65 people are standing trial.
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