Zondo commission hears how Hawks, ministers facilitated state capture
The commission of inquiry into state capture has heard that the Hawks and a range of public enterprises ministers were among the major facilitators of state capture and corruption at state-owned entities.
The commission will hear testimony related to corruption at South African Airways and SA Express overthe next two weeks.
"At the outset, we thought it appropriate to highlight five potential enablers, what we call the facilitator's malfeasance in our systems. Chair, the first of those is when priority crime investigations stall for unthinkably long periods and are not brought resolution, that is the Hawks," evidence leader, Advocate Kate Hofmeyr, told commission chair Raymond Zondo.
She said there are also allegations that the Hawks were aware of wrongdoing by some companies without any action being taken.
"Chair, the fourth enabler is ministers who sit in the Department of Public Enterprises and retain members of boards in their positions despite sustained evidence that they are not complying with their duties and do not act swiftly enough to ensure proper governance within those SOE's," said Hofmeyr.
She added that other enablers include companies who allow their business to be used to loot funds and funding companies who do not fulfill their duties.
Hofmeyr told the commission there is evidence of an agreement to move R400 million from the North West government into SA Express, of which R97 million was paid out and siphoned of through a money laundering scheme.
The money was allegedly used to bribe government officials and to pay for an ANC campaign.
Witnesses are also expected to detail a culture of intimidation and threats at SAA under former chairperson Dudu Myeni, who instructed management to withdraw certain contracts and award them to dubious entities.