Government's anti-corruption task team (ACTT), headed by the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), received a serious tongue-lashing from parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) for its low clearance rate of corruption cases.
The ACTT comprises the Special Investigating Unit, State Security Agency, SA Revenue Service, NPA, Treasury and Hawks, among others. MPs complained bitterly about how one case out of 13 proclamations (investigations) had been completed.
Hawks head and anti-corruption task team co-chair, Berning Ntlemeza, revealed that since 2010, completed cases were valued at R10-billion. Scopa chairperson, Themba Godi, said the meeting with the law enforcement agencies under one roof was "long in the making".
"We want to be able to know whether referring (these cases) to law enforcement agency is kicking for touch or part of concerted effort to fight corruption?" asked Godi.
ANC MP Nyami Booi complained about certain people not being present at the meeting. "It would be not correct when we don't point a finger to those who are not here. They are undermining parliament. It's a bad precedent," said Booi.
Ntlemeza was at pains explaining why other members of the task team were not present, even at their own meetings. At one point Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions, Nomgcobo Jiba, had to request a quick recess to plan how they would answer questions put to them by MPs
"Chairperson, you said I must tell the truth. The truth is a few DGs attend our meetings," said Ntlemeza. Ntlemeza said they prioritised cases "that have an effect on the improvement of investor perception, trust and thus willingness to invest in South Africa".
Godi said the absence of departments who were key drivers behind the work, "we take a very dim view of this".
A visibly irritated Vincent Smith (ANC) inquired why the total number of persons convicted is 128.
"You boldly say 462 and R10-billion yet you've only convicted 128 of them. Which is less than 30%. Somebody must explain. I just think with less than 30% you can't even pass matric in South Africa. And that's the success rate if those figures are correct," said Smith.
The EFF's Veronica Mente said there were "criminals" within departments who somehow found a way of getting re-employed even after being found guilty.
Anti-graft body flayed for tardiness
Government's anti-corruption task team (ACTT), headed by the Hawks and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), received a serious tongue-lashing from parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) for its low clearance rate of corruption cases.
The ACTT comprises the Special Investigating Unit, State Security Agency, SA Revenue Service, NPA, Treasury and Hawks, among others. MPs complained bitterly about how one case out of 13 proclamations (investigations) had been completed.
Hawks head and anti-corruption task team co-chair, Berning Ntlemeza, revealed that since 2010, completed cases were valued at R10-billion. Scopa chairperson, Themba Godi, said the meeting with the law enforcement agencies under one roof was "long in the making".
"We want to be able to know whether referring (these cases) to law enforcement agency is kicking for touch or part of concerted effort to fight corruption?" asked Godi.
ANC MP Nyami Booi complained about certain people not being present at the meeting. "It would be not correct when we don't point a finger to those who are not here. They are undermining parliament. It's a bad precedent," said Booi.
Ntlemeza was at pains explaining why other members of the task team were not present, even at their own meetings. At one point Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions, Nomgcobo Jiba, had to request a quick recess to plan how they would answer questions put to them by MPs
"Chairperson, you said I must tell the truth. The truth is a few DGs attend our meetings," said Ntlemeza. Ntlemeza said they prioritised cases "that have an effect on the improvement of investor perception, trust and thus willingness to invest in South Africa".
Godi said the absence of departments who were key drivers behind the work, "we take a very dim view of this".
A visibly irritated Vincent Smith (ANC) inquired why the total number of persons convicted is 128.
"You boldly say 462 and R10-billion yet you've only convicted 128 of them. Which is less than 30%. Somebody must explain. I just think with less than 30% you can't even pass matric in South Africa. And that's the success rate if those figures are correct," said Smith.
The EFF's Veronica Mente said there were "criminals" within departments who somehow found a way of getting re-employed even after being found guilty.
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