Hannah Omarjee | homarjee@radioislam.co.za
19 July 2023 | 00:00 CAT
2 min read

Photo Credit: South Africa Today

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has announced they are investigating two separate cases reported at the Phantom Police Station involving the alleged theft of a staggering R41 quadrillion. These claims echo a senior ANC official, Tokyo Sexwale, announced last week. Sexwale claimed that a significant amount of money had been stolen from the Reserve Bank and had documents to support these claims. The Hawks released a statement on Monday (17 July 2023) but did not disclose the complainant’s identity. Radio Islam International spoke with Wayne Duvenhage from the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) to gain more insight into the situation.

Duvenhage explained that while there may be statistical evidence linking corruption and deals, it is difficult to determine the tangible extent of such activities. He clarified that these cases are technical, and it is unlikely that quadrillions of rands would be available for the state to spend. OUTA is more concerned with cases of corruption where people need to be held accountable, such as the Tembisa Hospital case. Duvenhage claimed that very few people are held responsible for their actions. He believes this is because people higher up in the hierarchy are also implicated in corruption.

He asserted that it is important to acknowledge that the struggle for democracy and liberation in South Africa was fought by a wide front of organisations, civil societies, and the African National Congress (ANC). Although the ANC had the infrastructure and systems in place to transition into the governing party in 1994/1995, it was their responsibility to bring wealth and opportunities to the millions of South Africans who deserve access to quality employment and healthcare. Unfortunately, the ruling party has been unable to elevate the country to its full potential.

Duvenhage urged the public to register to vote in the upcoming elections to bring about a much-needed change in the nation, stating that anyone who chooses not to vote is part of the problem. He said, “They cannot know they moan. They must accept the government they vote for, and they must accept that the municipalities will continue to crumble and that education will continue to fail.”

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Annisa Essack here.