In a joint statement, The Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said they will create a new task force to follow up on those implicated in the Zondo Commission report.

The first part of the report was released and handed over to President Cyril Ramaphosa and deals largely with alleged corruption at South African Airways, the SA Revenue Service and  the Government Communication and Information Service

Both agencies promised that they will be systematically reviewing the commission’s findings and recommendations, with a view to investigating and building cases for criminal prosecution against those who broke the law, be they from the public or private sectors

They added that this will include – where appropriate – the freezing of assets and forfeiture of the proceeds of crimes.

JUST IN:
Over a week after the Zondo Inquiry slammed the National Prosecuting Authority for its failure to take on State Capture, the state has finally responded: with the announcement that a new “Task Force” will focus on these cases. @News24

Full statement: pic.twitter.com/ctcn099NTv

— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) January 12, 2022

In the statement, the NPA said it’s well aware of the challenges it faces: “As the NPA ramps up the prosecution of those implicated in state capture, it is crucial that its actions are, and are seen to be, independent of any undue influence. Anything short of this will undermine South African’s trust and confidence in the rule of law and due process, which is, for various reasons, already at concerningly low levels.”

They added: “In response to the Commission’s first report, the NPA has created a dedicated Task Force, coordinated at the highest levels within the NPA. An urgent review of all cases covered in the report, including those already proclaimed by the NPA’s Investigating Directorate (ID), will be conducted. The Task Force’s main focus is on progress and impact. It builds on the work already done within the NPA over the past few years, in collaboration with the Zondo Commission and other law enforcement partners.