CAPABLE AND ETHICAL STATE
Writer: More Matshediso
Fusion Centre fights corruption
I
n a clear indication
integrates information for
Centre, Baloyi says the
four individuals found
that corruption doesn’t
analysis, focuses on risk
National Prosecuting Ser-
guilty.
pay, state agencies
detection, and enables a
vice of the NPA is respon-
that collectively make up
multi-disciplinary, coor-
sible for guiding SAPS
are now closed and 182
the Fusion Centre, have
dinated approach by law
criminal investigations of
are under investigation.
closed in on those involved
enforcement entities to
Fusion Centre cases, and
in corruption relating to
ensure expedited inves-
conducting the criminal
servants have a duty to
COVID-19 and recovered
tigation, prosecution and
prosecutions arising from
say no to corruption, to
millions of rands.
recovery of assets.
these investigations.
name and shame those
President Cyril
Of the 230 incidents, 48
Baloyi says public
“The Fusion Centre has
The role of the AFU is
Ramaphosa established
made recoveries through
to recover the proceeds
activities, and to cooper-
the Fusion Centre in
SARS, the NPA’s Asset
of unlawful activities in
ate with law enforcement
2020, to strengthen
Forfeiture Unit (AFU)
terms of the Prevention of
in the investigation of
the efforts among law
and the SIU to the value
Organised Crime Act.
corruption-related activi-
enforcement agencies to
of R445 million,” says
prevent, detect, inves-
Advocate Lebo Baloyi, a
no persons benefit from
tigate and prosecute
Special Director of Public
crime,” she says.
COVID-19-related related
Prosecutions at the
The Fusion Centre is
law enforcement to ad-
corruption.
Specialised Commercial
looking into 426 COVID-
dress all illicit activities
Crimes Unit of the NPA.
19-related cases.
associated with govern-
The centre brings together the Financial
“This is to ensure that
involved in criminal
ties. She adds that public servants must work with
ment’s COVID-19 relief.
About R167 million
“A total of 196 of these
Intelligence Centre, the
has been recovered
are criminal cases, and
Independent Police Inves-
in relation to unlawful
230 are reported inci-
in the endeavour to fight
tigative Directorate, the
payments to non-quali-
dents emanating from the
corruption. Containment
National Prosecuting Au-
fying employees by the
media, whistle blowers
interventions will assist in
thority (NPA), the Hawks,
Unemployment Insur-
and other sources.”
the speedy finalisation of
Crime Intelligence, the
ance Fund through the
South African Police
Temporary Employment
criminal cases, 34 cases
swift enrolment of cases
Service (SAPS) Detective
Relief Scheme, which
are in court. These cases
in court,” says Baloyi.
Service, the South African
was introduced by the
involve 58 individuals
Revenue Service (SARS),
President to cushion the
and 17 legal entities, adds
any corruption-related
the Special Investigating
economic hardship cre-
Baloyi.
activities, you can email
Unit (SIU) and the State
ated by COVID-19.
Security Agency. The Fusion Centre
14
Explaining the role of the NPA in the Fusion
With regard to the
“We must all do our part
the investigations, and the
If you are aware of
Sixteen criminal cases
the SIU on info@siu.org.za
have already been final-
or call the hotline at 0860
ised, with 11 entities and
748 748.
Public Sector Manager • December 2021 / January 2022
