Solidarity lays criminal charges against alleged state capturers
Trade union Solidarity has laid criminal charges against former president Jacob Zuma, former SAA chairperson Dudu Myeni and 18 others who have been fingered in the report by the commission of inquiry into state capture.
The charges against the 21 people, which also include the former head of Transnet and Eskom Brian Molefe and former Denel chairperson Daniel Mantsha, were laid at the Brooklyn police station in Pretoria on Tuesday.
The report by the commission found various instances of fraud and corruption during Myeni’s tenure at SAA, a situation the commission believes was perpetuated by her relationship with Zuma.
The charges laid by Solidarity include corruption, theft, fraud and mismanagement of state funds.
The union's Dirk Herman says the accused were all involved in looting state funds.
“State capturers stole workers’ jobs and their future as well as taxpayers’ hard-earned money. We cannot allow workers’ jobs and money to be stolen and the looters to get away scot-free with all the money. It is our duty to help prosecute state capturers on behalf of our members.
“While the Solidarity docket is not limited to this aspect, the docket focuses on corrupt activities that have destroyed workers’ jobs for the financial benefit of individuals. We need not, neither are we going to, wait for President Ramaphosa to announce plans on what the government is going to do with the Zondo commission’s recommendations. The National Prosecuting Authority must begin prosecuting immediately.”
Hermann says the group has cost the country billions of rands.
“The country has suffered incalculable damage. The National Prosecuting Authority has no option but to prosecute the accused in the Solidarity docket. South Africa generally and workers in particular demand accountability. We want to see people in orange overalls to serve as an example to anyone who would consider looting workers’ and taxpayers’ money in future.”
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