CHARLES MOLELE
FINANCE Minister Enoch Godongwana has announced an allocation of at least R14 billion to intensify the fight against crime and corruption in South Africa.
Godongwana made the announcement during the 2023 Budget Speech held at the Cape Town City Hall on Wednesday, adding that government was in the process of strengthening the capacity of the state to deliver quality public services, invest in infrastructure and fight crime and corruption.
He said the South African Police Service (SAPS) would be allocated R7.8 billion to appoint 5,000 police trainees per year, while the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) receives R1.3 billion to support the implementation of the recommendations of the State Capture Commission and the Financial Action Task Force.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU), on the other hand, has been allocated R100 million to initiate civil litigation in the special tribunal, flowing from proclamations linked to the recommendations of the State Capture Commission report.
“The Financial Intelligence Centre is allocated an additional R265.3 million to tackle organised and financial crime. The Special Investigating Unit is allocated R100 million to initiate civil litigation in the special tribunal, flowing from proclamations linked to the recommendations of the State Capture Commission. The Department of Defence is allocated an additional R3.1 billion to enhance security on South Africa’s borders,” Godongwana said.
Turning to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Godongwana said addressing the FATF issues was part of the broader fight against corruption, crime, state capture and the deliberate weakening of the institutions of law and order in South Africa.
“Two laws have been enacted to address the technical deficiencies in the legislative framework, namely the General Laws Amendment Act of 2022, and the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Amendment Act,” said Godongwana.
“The laws address 15 of the 20 legislative deficiencies identified by FATF. The remaining 5 deficiencies will be addressed through regulations and practices that do not require legislation. We recognise the need to be more effective in implementing our laws, particularly in fighting organised and sophisticated crimes.”
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