Cope lays charges against Arthur Fraser over state capture findings

The party laid criminal charges against Fraser in Pretoria on Monday following the release of the state capture report.

The final report has made some damning findings against Fraser and former president Jacob Zuma.

The commission found that Zuma and Fraser worked together to keep one another out of prison.

Cope spokesperson Dennis Bloem says the allegations are very serious.

“The allegations contained in the report of the Zondo commission are very serious. The abuse of taxpayer's money on a private intelligence unit called Principal Agents Network (PAN) is very scary and needs immediate action from the criminal justice system.

"An investigation revealed that equipment of this unit like vehicles are still around Gauteng and a number of houses are registered in the names of individuals. We believe that poses a great danger to the security and stability of the country."

Bloem says a case against Fraser is the first of many to be opened against people implicated in the state capture report.

“This action is the first of a series of rolling action on the implementation of the Zondo commission's recommendations. We will continuously approach to police to lay criminal charges against different people whom the commission's recommends that the Hawks must investigate and charge.

"We believe that the country cannot wait on President Ramaphosa for another four months before we act on the Zondo commission's report. It is our duty and responsibility to assist the National Prosecution Authority and the Hawks by laying criminal charges against those who must face the full might of the law."

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