Corruption Watch welcomes the serving of a court order to freeze assets of McKinsey and Trillian. This must naturally be followed by the commencement of criminal proceedings against these two firms as well as against the individual McKinsey, Trillian and Eskom executives and board members implicated in the wholesale looting of public resources.
Corruption Watch has been cooperating in the investigation with the US Department of Justice, and will continue to do so. We would naturally be pleased to cooperate with the South African criminal justice authorities as well.
David Lewis, executive director of Corruption Watch, commented: “While this is a welcome development, it is the tip of the iceberg. Most South Africans could identify several cabinet ministers as well as current and former senior executives and board members of Eskom, Transnet, Prasa, McKinsey, SAP, the SABC, MultiChoice and South China Rail, to name but a few who should be charged criminally. This applies equally to senior executives of SARS.”
While the Asset Forfeiture Unit’s action has established that there are people of integrity in the leadership of the criminal justice system, Lewis said, Corruption Watch is not confident that robust and competent criminal proceedings will be launched while the National Prosecuting Authority is led by Shaun Abrahams – who has consistently demonstrated that his loyalty lies not with the law but with President Zuma and his cronies.
“At the end of last year, the High Court, pursuant to an application filed by Corruption Watch, removed Abrahams from office,” Lewis added. “The court, mindful of the president’s conflict of interest, empowered the deputy president to appoint a new national director of public prosecutions. We urge him to make this appointment without delay.”
For media queries, contact
Phemelo Khaas: phemelok@corruptionwatch.org.za 083 763 3472
