NPA, Hawks still probing Steinhoff

LAW enforcement agencies are not letting up on Steinhoff after MPs raised concern about the delays in prosecuting those behind the company.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) yesterday called for action against Steinhoff and its bosses, saying the investigation was taking too long.

But the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks assured Scopa they were still pursuing Steinhoff but this was a complex case.

Scopa chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said the Steinhoff case should not be allowed to fall through the cracks.

“We want to see the pursuit of Steinhoff and arrests. It’s something that must not fall away. But the law enforcement agencies are in a better position to pursue these cases,” said Hlengwa.

Head of the Hawks Godfrey Lebeya said they had obtained 200 statements from witnesses and this was important in building up the case.

He said the number of witnesses had strengthened their case.

NPA boss Shamila Batohi said they were working closely with the Hawks in investigations.

She denied claims that the law enforcement agencies were dragging their feet in prosecuting the case.

Steinhoff collapsed in 2017 when the company lost more than 90% of its value following the scandal.

The National Legislature had hauled Steinhoff to Parliament to probe what went on during the collapse.

MPs yesterday demanded answers. The law enforcement agencies told Scopa they were also investigating Covid-19 relief corruption.

They said more than 220 cases had been brought to the attention of the Anti-Corruption Task Team co-chaired by Batohi and Lebeya to investigate these cases.

Some of those who looted the funds had been arrested.

The agencies had also arrested 24 people in relation to cases of Covid-19 relief corruption.

Special Investigating Unit boss Andy Mothibi, also told Scopa all enforcement agencies were working together in the task team to prevent duplication.

“We will continue to interact to ensure there are no conflicts, there are no duplications.

“On the functionality of the Anti-Corruption Task Team, from what the national director of public prosecutions and Lebeya said, there is recognition on our side that functionality requires improvement,” said Mothibi.

He said he was chairing the subcommittee on the restructuring of the task team. This was part of the review of the criminal justice system.