Task team monitors Zondo hearings

Group under NPA’s special commercial crimes unit will determine if evidence at inquiry justifies prosecutions

JUSTICE Minister Michael Masutha has said a special task team from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) would determine whether evidence from the Zondo commission of inquiry justified criminal action against individuals.

Masutha was responding in Parliament to the DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach. She wanted to know if he had engaged acting national director of public prosecutions Silas Ramaite with establishing a properly resourced task team to deal with revelations at the Zondo commission, the Nugent commission of inquiry and others.

The minister said a team had been put together under the NPA’s special commercial crimes unit to work on the Estina dairy farm matter.

“When the commission of state capture was established the team was expanded to deal with further matters that may be subject to the investigation of state capture.

“Indeed, there has been some dedicated resources that have been put in,” he said.

Masutha also said he has visited both the NPA and Special Investigating Unit and encouraged them to firstly co-operate and give support to the work of the commissions as well as ready themselves for any matter that may be referred to them.

But, the DA’s Werner Horn said it was not comforting news that the unit that dealt with the Estina prosecution has been earmarked for dealing with revelations from the inquiries.

“South Africa knows that they have barely been able to prevent the case from being struck from the roll because of their ineptitude,” Horn said.

Masutha said judging from its performance the special commercial crimes unit was the best they have in the country.

“We are confident that the team put together under the auspices of that unit is the best in ensuring that all matters that may arise out of the work of this commission, and any other commissions that are under way relating to allegations of impropriety, fraud and corruption will be well taken care of by the team,” he said.

Masutha also said while the authority to investigate crime lay with the SAPS, there was collaboration with the NPA through the prosecutor-guided investigation.

“This is to ensure that when police investigate they receive guidance that will ensure maximisation of successful prosecution.”

Asked if there were any cases prepared from the commission’s inquiry, Masutha said the commission had really only begun its work in earnest just a few months ago.

“Obviously, some of the evidence that has been led now is still at a

OCCUPATION preliminary stage to establish a firm decision whether possible criminality may have occurred or not.

“Both the SIU and NPA, I’m sure even the Hawks, are observing these proceedings.

“This is to determine whether there is evidential material emerging that may justify particular criminal action against individuals as a result of revelations that come out of the ongoing inquiry that is taking place.”

He also said that prior to the Zondo commission sitting, there had already been investigations by the police, including those guided by prosecutors.

“That is ongoing work that has been taking place and continues to take place.

“At an opportune time when matters are trial ready they will be taken to court,” Masutha said.

We are confident that the team put together under the auspices of that unit is the best