The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) says these actions send a strong signal of a new guard and a change of attitude when it comes to tackling corruption.
Ben Theron, OUTA’s COO says there is no doubt that “where there is smoke, there is fire. The current media activity appears to indicate that positive action is happening within certain elements of the prosecuting mechanisms within of the state…This is undoubtedly good news and signals that the fruits of a consistent approach by OUTA and other organisations who have stayed true to their mandate of tackling corruption – by laying charges against those who abuse their authority – is now beginning to pay off.
“It certainly send a strong signal of a new guard and a change of attitude when it comes to tackling corruption, now that Jacob Zuma is no longer at the helm of the ruling party,” adds Theron.
OUTA, the South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) and others have been very busy over the past year, gathering evidence and painstakingly building solid cases that will assist the authorities to advance a number of cases related to State Capture.
OUTA says for now, “the initial activity by the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) appears to target a few corporate entities linked to the Eskom McKinsey / Trillian contract, however, in the near future, we sincerely believe that other cases and charges that include Gupta brothers, along with a host of senior government officials and other companies will begin to unfold.
“OUTA applauds this recent development and looks forward to the imminent introduction of new leadership within the NDPP – one that will hopefully inject a new level of civil courage into the NPA. It is high time that this critical state institution conducts its work without fear or favour, such that many who have paved the way for billions of Rands to be stolen from the people of South Africa, are held accountable for their actions sooner rather than later.”
