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The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi, said on Wednesday that the arrest of eight key players in the VBS Bank looting scandal was an indication that headway was being made into crimes involving high profile citizens.
"Today's developments are a milestone, but we all know a lot of work lies ahead. Although it's imperative we move with speed to finalise matters, the [investigating] team must be meticulous to ensure justice and the rule of law prevails," said Batohi.
She was speaking at a media briefing in Hatfield, Pretoria.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation's (Hawks) priority crimes unit conducted simultaneous search and seizure operations on 10 premises in Gauteng and Limpopo provinces.
According to the NPA, arrest warrants were also executed for four suspects. Three others were expected to hand themselves over on Wednesday. The eighth suspect was under Covid-19 quarantine, and "would be secured after completion of the relevant processes".
Prior to Batohi taking to the podium, the national head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), lieutenant-general Godfrey Lebeya, said the arrests were the culmination of an almost two-year-long investigation into the over R2 billion looting of the bank, which had to be liquidated as a result.
Lebeya said the suspects were to be charged with 47 counts, including five of racketeering, 12 for theft, common law offence, seven for fraud, 15 counts for corruption and seven counts of money laundering.
"The DPCI has been working on this matter since August 2018. We have been investigating it as an inquiry which was converted to a police docket," said Lebeya.
"The scam was hatched on July 4, 2017, when the board of directors of VBS approved financial statements for the financial year ending on March 31, 2017, making VBS look richer while it was insolvent.
"The investigation has revealed that the eight suspects either unduly, directly or indirectly benefited more than R120 million. The investigation revealed that 20 municipalities deposited an amount of R3.7 billion, of which R2.2 billion was paid back," he said.
The suspects are set to appear in the Palm Ridge Regional Court on Thursday, said Lebeya.
Investigations were continuing, he said, adding that over 1000 statements had already been made.
Batohi said the NPA owed it to the bank's investors, "particularly the elderly of Limpopo...to deliver justice in this matter".
"We can only restore confidence in the criminal justice service if we deliver a quality service to those who have been harmed. There must be consequences," she said.
Batohi said she "felt" the pressure to prosecute high profile crimes from the public, given the "pervasive culture of impunity in South Africa".
"Given what South Africa is emerging from, I feel and share the impatience of the country for justice. We want to assure the public there are many people behind the scenes working under difficult circumstances. The wheels of justice are turning."
- African News Agency (ANA)
