Share

SIU's special tribunal eyes Office of the State Attorney in first case set for Tuesday

The Special Investigating Unit's special tribunal, which was set up to recover money looted from the state, is expected to hear its first case on Tuesday. 

The tribunal will hear an urgent preservation order application against the former head of the Office of the State Attorney in Johannesburg, Kgosi Lekabe, spokesperson Selby Makgotho told News24. 

The tribunal adjudicates any civil proceedings brought to it by the SIU, either in its own name or on behalf of a state institution or interested party, which stems from an SIU investigation. While the SIU accounts to Parliament, the special tribunal is a court which functions like any high court in the country and has powers similar to the high court.

READ: Ramaphosa announces SIU Special Tribunal to fast-track recovery of state funds

The case will be heard in the Booysens Magistrate's Court at 10:00. 

"The matter emanates from an investigation by the Special Investigating Unit into several allegations of irregularities within the Office of the State Attorney estimated at R34m.

"The special tribunal has been approached for an order in which Mr Lekabe's funds should not be released by the Government Employees Pensions Fund, pending the finalisation of the action proceedings against him," Makgotho said. 

Lekabe has resigned from his position as head of the Office of the State Attorney.

READ: SIU Special Tribunal receives first cases in bid to claw back SA's 'stolen' billions

The tribunal was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in February 2019. 

In November last year, it announced it had received its first batch of cases to commence with civil proceedings against government departments and state organs to recover billions looted from the state.

At the time, Mokgotho said the cases mainly related to "malpractices and the irregular/fraudulent awarding of contracts as well as to seek suspension and interlocutory orders and interdicts". 

The value of cases ready for adjudication and recovery stands at R14.7bn.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do airplane mishaps have any effect on which airline you book your flights with?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, these things happen. I pick based on price
49% - 411 votes
Yes, my safety matters. I don't take any chances
51% - 421 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
19.11
+0.4%
Rand - Pound
23.79
-0.4%
Rand - Euro
20.46
-0.0%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.40
-0.1%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.4%
Platinum
921.90
-1.0%
Palladium
1,027.50
+1.2%
Gold
2,320.35
-0.3%
Silver
27.28
+0.4%
Brent Crude
87.00
-0.3%
Top 40
68,092
+0.9%
All Share
74,048
+0.7%
Resource 10
59,671
-2.1%
Industrial 25
102,830
+1.8%
Financial 15
15,912
+1.9%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE