The Progress Report
Monitoring and reporting on the progress of corruption cases in South Africa's Special Tribunal and Specialised Commercial Crimes Courts is essential. These institutions play a critical role in delivering justice, recovering misappropriated public funds, and holding officials accountable for financial crimes.
Featured Article
A landmark case is testing whether the Special Tribunal can order asset forfeiture. Legal scholar Dan Mafora says only courts can; the DGRU agrees, but calls for urgent reform. At The Progress Report, we say: give the Tribunal the powers it needs to fight corruption.
Monitoring Corruption
Corruption is being dealt with in the courts
Significant progress is being made in the fight against corruption. The Special Tribunal and SCCCs have shown resilience and effectiveness in recovering stolen public funds and holding perpetrators accountable.
Expediting the recovery of public funds lost to corruption
The Special Tribunal, is a critical mechanism for recovering public funds lost to fraud and corruption, operating with greater efficiency than traditional courts while adjudicating civil disputes arising from SIU investigations.
Significant success through the Special Tribunal
The Special Tribunal's efforts have led to the recovery of over R2.28 billion in public funds. This demonstrates real progress in tackling corruption continuously delivering results that restore public trust and safeguard public resources.
Investigation, prosecution, and adjudication
There are 22 SCCCs across South Africa, located in various regional divisions. These courts, operating at the regional level, are dedicated to hearing commercial crime and organised commercial crime matters.
Case Updates
The Special Tribunal was asked to block a former NLC official from accessing his pension after he allegedly co-signed a fabricated report that led to the payment of R3 million in public funds. This case tests the Tribunal’s power to preserve retirement funds pending civil recovery.
In Marubini Ramatsekisa v SIU and Others, the Special Tribunal clarified its powers regarding pension fund preservation orders, ruling that preserved funds cannot be accessed without full and transparent disclosure.
The SIU v Mosokodi Business Trust case, set for hearing on 15–16 May, could redefine the Special Tribunal’s power to recover misused public funds. At issue: a R4.4 million farm allegedly bought with Lottery money, and whether the Tribunal can legally order its forfeiture. The case includes a constitutional challenge to the SIU Rules, with the DGRU appearing as amicus curiae.
The SIU is taking decisive action against corruption by seeking to recover R150 million from Digital Vibes and associated individuals, following irregular contracts awarded by the National Department of Health.
In a landmark ruling, Hildegard Antionette Pieterse has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for defrauding Medtronic Africa of over R500 million. This case underscores the critical need for robust financial oversight in corporations.