The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says organized crime is the country’s next state capture crisis.
Addressing the Cape Town Press Club on Thursday, the NPA leadership said as organized crime becomes more sophisticated, it will require better investigation and prosecution skills.
NPA head, Shamila Batohi, said that the real challenge for police was going after the kingpins behind these syndicates and not only the foot soldiers.
Batohi said that corruption was cutting across all state entities and asset forfeiture was at the centre of the strategy to return the proceeds of crime, even before a conviction is achieved.
“Even when we get the prosecutions to court and people are fighting us and embarking on Stalingrad tactics, that they are doing it not from their houses in Constantia with their fancy cars and with stolen money paying for their lawyers.”
But she said there was still a skills gap in the investigation of financial crimes.
“The police have been investigating the crime, but not following the money generally, and if you want to get to the kingpins of organised crime, you have to follow the money.”
The NPA said that beefing up crime intelligence capability would go a long way to getting a grip on organized crime.
-EWN
In other news – #ApologyAccepted: Jelly Babie apologizes to retail cashier after viral video
Controversial South African singer, and performer, Jelly Babie has made amends with a Big Save cashier after an altercation. A video of the Bacardi star hurling insults at the cashier, demeaning her profession, went viral on social media.
In the video, Jelly Babie is heard saying: “You must respect me and I’ll respect you. You are nothing.” “She is forward because we were not talking to her. Why would she concern herself about things she does not know about? Read More
