Investigating Directorate Set to Prioritize High-Impact State Capture Cases

South Africa's Investigating Directorate (ID), the body whose mission is to deliver prosecutions in high-profile State Capture cases, announced it will focus on those cases that have had the most severe impact on our constitutional democracy. This adjustment in strategy comes in response to resource scarcity, budget inadequacies, and an uneven criminal justice system.

In a recent conference in Johannesburg, ID head Advocate Andrea Johnson stated that the ID will assess and prioritize cases that have been particularly damaging to the country’s constitutional democracy. The Directorate also disclosed plans of operating alongside other law enforcement agencies such as the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks).

Since its establishment in 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised a permanent existence for the ID. Despite this, the anti-corruption body is still fighting for its survival during public hearings into the NPA Amendment Bill, primarily due to challenges in recruiting the level of skill and capability required in the ID.

Johnson also highlighted the underlying issues with the criminal justice system as a significant deterrent in prioritizing State Capture cases. She proposed a 'fast lane' for such matters to avoid unnecessary delays in the judicial process, calling for an expedited service for these cases to deliver justicedue to the country's demand.

Johnson cited the ongoing multi-million Estina Dairy fraud case, which is scheduled only for trial in August 2024. Johnson stressed, "We cannot afford to waste time".

Despite the criticism the ID faces for its perceived inefficiencies in prosecuting State Capture cases and high-profile cases, the ID has secured R7.18 billion in restraining orders, and are still making strides in this aspect. Their focus also extends to state security agencies and state-owned organizations.

To push investigations forward, the ID plans to employ external financial flow professionals. This could help accelerate cases like the R2 billion Kusile corruption case, which has experienced delays.

In closing, Johnson reaffirmed the competence of her team, stating that they continue to do the best they can with the resources they have.