NPA Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Sibongile Mzinyati said the unit had secured convictions in 88.9 per cent of organized crime cases and 90.5 per cent of complex commercial crime cases.
The Gauteng division of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has seized R173 million in confiscated assets, including assets belonging to illegal mining kingpins and a syndicate that stole from Eskom.
NPA Gauteng Provincial Director of Public Prosecutions Sibongile Mzinyati on Thursday announced the department's performance for the 2023-24 financial year, saying the department achieved convictions in 88.9% of organized crime cases and 90.5% of complex commercial crime cases. said. The conviction rate for complex tax cases was 90.9%.
Mr Mujinyati outlined four high-profile cases involving the NPA's Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), part of the Organized Crime Division. The first case related to a key figure in illegal mining, and the division secured three confiscation orders worth R18 million. In March.
Mzinyati said these assets “are the proceeds of the illegal activities of a syndicate trading in raw gold in the Kutzon area of Carletonville,” adding that the case was adjourned to the High Court in February. Ta.
The AFU also obtained two confiscation orders worth R33 million from the Pretoria High Court in March regarding real estate that was the proceeds of illegal activity at Eskom's Kusile power station “following allegations of gross mismanagement and corruption.” Obtained.
In another case related to power companies, Pretoria AFU was granted a High Court order in November 2023 to freeze R29 million worth of property and cash belonging to a syndicate that stole from Eskom.
Mzinyasi said the AFU also conducted a financial investigation that uncovered an elaborate scheme that stole millions of dollars from the National Lottery Commission.
“The AFU filed a total of 18 forfeiture applications worth approximately R93 million against various individuals involved in the thefts. Some applications were opposed, others were not. .
“The AFU confiscated various assets, including a house and more vehicles. Investigations are continuing.”
Mr Mzinyati said Gauteng's police force was facing challenges due to a lack of skilled personnel to deal with difficult cases.
“We continue to have challenges in the resolution rate of corruption cases. These cases require prosecutors with specialized skills. These cases are often hotly contested by the people accused. , which results in a lower conclusion rate,” he said.
He added that due to the complex nature of the crimes tried in the Special Commercial Crimes Unit, “issues will take longer to resolve.”
Referring to the ongoing Senzo Meyiwa murder case, Mzinyati said: “I am confident that we are close to closing the state case, at least as far as state evidence is concerned…and we will do so.” spoke. Ask what the defense attorney and the defendant are doing. ”
Mr Mzinyati said that in the 2023-24 financial year, the Gauteng Police Service will result in convictions in 81.7% of murder cases, 100% of femicide cases, 97.2% of female intimate partner murder cases and 77.5% of sexual offense cases. He said he had made a decision.
