Posts

Anti-corruption agencies bemoan skills shortage, lack of capacity

In mid-November the inter-ministerial Anti-Corruption Task Team (ACTT) briefed Parliament on progress in corruption cases involving a number of government departments and entities. Present were Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya and advocates Shamila Batohi, Andy Mothibi, and Xolisile Khanyile – the heads of the Hawks, National Prosecuting Authority, Special Investigating Unit (SIU), and Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) Read more >

Efforts to end tax crime yield success

By Thato Mahlangu The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has been working hard to make sure that disobedient citizens are made to account for failure to comply with the law. Sars, through a statement, said on 28 February 2020 it had won a 10-year battle court against a “non-compliant taxpayer” after the constitutional court dismissed Read more >

SA properties firm a possible money laundering conduit

By Ray Mahlaka First published by Daily Maverick The Estate Agency Affairs Board has always been considered a bit toothless. So the sanctions Pam Golding Properties could face if found guilty of aiding money-laundering transactions are probably lightweight. But the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) might also get involved, and the penalties may be more severe. Read more >

CW board member to preside over Moyane disciplinary

UPDATE, 22 May 2018: Kate O’Regan has been replaced by advocate Azhar Bham SC, after an objection by the legal team of Moyane. Moyane’s team had concerns about O’Regan’s impartiality in the matter. Embattled former South African Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Tom Moyane is to face disciplinary charges. The Presidency announced last week that it Read more >

Bank of Baroda played key role in SA’s Gupta scandal

By Khadija Sharife (OCCRP) and Josy Joseph (The Hindu) First published on OCCRP India’s state-owned Bank of Baroda – one of the country’s largest – played a crucial role in the financial machinations of South Africa’s politically influential Gupta family, allowing them to move hundreds of millions of dollars originating in alleged dirty deals into Read more >

Full FIC amendment act needed to catch the corrupt

By Leanne Govindsamy First published in Business Day State capture does not happen because of the dodgy dealings of one person or even a handful of people. It happens because hundreds of people along the line — in the public and private sectors — have enabled it. They may have failed to conduct requisite due Read more >

CW asks Gigaba for FICA commencement date

Corruption Watch has written to finance minister Malusi Gigaba, requesting clarification on the date on which the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) amendment act will commence, as well as timeframes for the finalisation of regulations and schedules required to support the implementation of the act. President Jacob Zuma signed the FIC amendment act into law on Read more >

FIC bill signed into law at last

On Saturday 29 April President Jacob Zuma signed the long-awaited Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) bill into law. The amended FIC act is aimed at strengthening domestic regulations that deal with money laundering, the financing of terrorism, and illicit financial transactions. It brings South Africa up to standards and requirements set by the Financial Action Task Read more >

FIC amendment bill makes the parly grade

The Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) amendment bill is one step closer to promulgation. Having being tabled in Parliament as long ago as April 2015 by former finance minister Nhlanhla Nene, and sent back and forth a couple of times between President Jacob Zuma and the Standing Committee of Finance, the bill was passed last week Read more >