Task Force To Handle State Capture Cases

on 25th Mar 2022

The National Prosecuting Authority established a Task Force to coordinate the NPA’s response to the recommendations and findings made by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State, better known as the Zondo Commission or State Capture Commission.

The Task Force is a multi-disciplinary committee and meetings are chaired by Adv. Rodney de Kock, the Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions (DNDPP) responsible for the National Prosecutions Service. It includes:

  • DNDPPs responsible for the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) and the Legal Affairs Division (LAD)
  • Investigating Directorate (ID):  Head of ID, Head of Operations, Head of Investigations and Sector Heads
  • Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU): Special Director and Head of Investigations
  • Special Commercial Crimes Unit (SCCU): Special Director, Deputy Directors of Public Prosecutions (DDPP) or regional heads of the SCCU from those Divisions where matters have arisen;
  • Organised Crime (OC): National co-coordinators of the Organised Crime,
  • Tax and the Operations Management Component; the official responsible for the monitoring of Anti-Corruption Task Team and Priority Corruption statistics;
  • Legal Advisor in the Office of the National Director, responsible for research and legal support;
  • Strategy, Operations and Compliance (SOC): representative who can second relevant colleagues from Strategy Management Office (SMO) and Human Resources Management and Development (HRM&D) as and when required.

Currently, the Directors of Public Prosecutions of both Gauteng divisions, North West and Free State are attending the meetings. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI) are also represented at the meetings. The Task Force meets twice a month.

The Task Force’s main focus is to ensure a coordinated response to the work to be undertaken, to look at resources and to assist in expediting the investigation and successful prosecution of the matters. While the ID has been tasked to take the lead in investigating and prosecuting state capture matters, the DPCI and the Divisions are supporting in the investigation and prosecution of matters not dealt with by the ID, or are bolstering the capacity of the ID. A team approach to tackle matters has been adopted. The AFU is also involved to ensure that the proceeds of crime are seized.

The implicated individuals and entities have either been matched to existing cases investigated by the ID or DPCI, or new cases have been identified that need to be opened. The aim is to have a common complete list of cases which can be monitored and prioritised.

According to Adv Rodney de Kock, “as the National Prosecuting Authority ramps up the prosecution of those implicated in state capture, our actions must be seen to be independent of any external influence. We must do everything within our power to ensure that investigations are finalised and prosecutions are instituted. We must prosecute without fear, favour or prejudice to realise our vision of “justice in our society so that people can live in freedom and security”.

Connect with Us