[HAPPENING NOW] Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi opens the briefing and introduces the Head of the Hawks, Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya. Mulaudzi indicates the address today will concern VBS alone.
Lebeya begins. He describes the origins of VBS Bank and its development into a mutual bank. He says today the Hawks conducted a simultaneous search and seizure operations in 10 premises in Gauteng and Limpopo.
"Three other suspects are expected to hand themselves today," says Lebeya, and adds one of the suspects (the eighth) has been affected by #COVID19. He says the Hawks have been investigating since August 2018 and a police docket was established in May 2019.
Lebeya describes the charges, which include (among others) racketeering in contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), 12 counts of theft, seven for fraud, 15 counts of corruption, and seven of money laundering in terms of POCA.
[NOT VERBATIM] Lebeya: On 11 March 2018 the Minister of Finance appointed a curator for VBS. On 13 November 2018 on the application of the prudential authority VBS was place into compulsory winding up and 14 November 2018 a liquidator was appointed.
"The investigation revealed that as on the 11th of March 2018 there was a general deficiency in the monies received by the VBS, which amounted to R2,296,599,008. The scam was hatched on the 4th of July 2017 [...] making VBS look richer, while it was in fact insolvent," he says.
[EARLIER] Lebeya says the Hawks' investigation found 20 municipalities deposited R3.7-billion of which R2.2-billion was paid back, with the remainder staying (at least initially) with VBS. "The investigation of this magnitude are complicated and labour intensive," says Lebeya.
Lebeya thanks various parties, including the NPA, @SAReserveBank and the Financial Intelligence Centre. "The teamwork that was put in place here was a recipe for success," he says. Next, Advocate Shamila Batohi of the NPA speaks.
"Whilst today's developments are an important milestone and we are certainly pleased [...] we all know that, still, a lot of work lies ahead," says Batohi. She says the team must be meticulous and work through evidence with a fine-toothed comb so justice and rule of law prevail.
"We owe it to all the investors of the bank, particularly the elderly men and women of Limpopo who lost their hard-earned lifetime savings [...] they have, in many ways, been victimised by this crime," continues Batohi.
"We can only restore confidence in the criminal justice system if we can deliver quality service to those who have been harmed. We can only turn the tide against corruption if those who commit these crimes are arrested, convicted and sentenced [...] there must be consequences."
Batohi asserts there "will be a thorough investigation" and consequences, she insists today's developments mark a "key milestone" toward those ends. "It is clear that the prosecutor-guided approach [...] will definitely ensure the quality control," she says.
"Believe me, I feel it," says Batohi of the "enormous pressure" to prosecute these cases, but quality investigations and prosecutions "regrettably need time and patience" and given what "this country is emerging from" she feels and shares the need for urgency.
[EARLIER] "We do need to ensure that we deliver on all fronts," Batohi says. "We want to assure the people that there are so many behind the scenes that are hard at work under very challenging circumstances." She asserts the wheels of justice are turning and justice will prevail.
A question and answer session with journalists posing questions to Lebeya and Batohi. Now, Batohi says in "a number of high profile cases there is a strategy to delay" and "we have decided as the NPA we are going to take a much more vigorous stance on these dilatory tactics".
On bail, says Batohi, the prosecutors will decide on that when the court appearances occur tomorrow. Another round of questions follows, including one on whether or not the #VBSBankHeist investigation is now complete, or ongoing. Another question on further arrests ensues.
"How will the person who is in quarantine be handled?" sounds out a question on one of the eight accused, who Lebeya indicated earlier has been affected by #COVID19. There is a further question on attaching assets.
Lebeya says, "The investigation of this magnitude is usually conducted by way of dealing with the legs. We are going to continue to deal with this. You shall also recall that there are municipalities [...] the investigation is continuing [...] we will leave no stone unturned."
According to Lebeya more than 1,000 statements have been gathered so far. "The investigation is not concluded so the probability is [...] evidence will be directing us [...] so, look at this space," says Lebeya. On the #COVID19-affected suspect, there are arrangements.
Lebeya says a warrant of arrest for a suspect affected by #COVID19 remains valid, processes will be followed. Batohi says depending on the outcome of investigations "we are certainly looking to recover the proceeds of crime" and the Asset Forfeiture Unit is still busy therewith.
[FOR CLARITY] The comments from Batohi were specifically in response to a question regarding attaching assets.
Another round of questions follows, including queries as to whether political figures and those associated with municipalities being investigating. Batohi makes it clear that the NPA is prosecuting and a team including Hawks members are investigating the matter.
Lebeya says on officials in municipalities being arrested, he says he has dealt with this, and here they are dealing with one leg concerning the individuals at VBS Bank itself. On municipalities "that part of the investigation is continuing" and it is a space to watch closely.
"As of today, they are the suspects. We have arrested the suspects," says Lebeya. He notes once the accused appear in court they will become the accused. He moves on to a question on reliance on media reports about #VBSBankHeist.
Lebeya replies on a question about sourcing information from media reports, the investigation team must gather evidence for presentation in court and it must assist in proving a case beyond a reasonable doubt; media reports indicate there is a stone to be turned (it is a lead).
[MOMENTS EARLIER] In reply to a question on reported communication between Lebeya and Floyd Shivambu, Lebeya says he won't comment specifically. He says, in effect, he will not provide details of communication with individuals, unless those individuals want to publicly divulge.
Lebeya also indicated that there would be communication between individuals and he insists such communication would not compromise the investigation. @samkelemaseko of @SABCNews raises several pointed questions on specific individuals.
[SUMMARISED] Lebeya: All we can say is no stone will be left unturned. As to who is the kingpin, whether we're investigating that, whether the individuals belong to a political party - the EFF as you mention it or the mayor - we are guided by the crime committed and the evidence.
Lebeya says the items seized will not be dealt with item-by-item, that will be dealt with in court. He notes, however, evidence in the form of paperwork was of interest and among the items seized, which forms part of the evidence, is a watch.
Hawks spokesperson Mulaudzi concludes the briefing. Today's events mark another preliminary step in the early days of what will be protracted prosecution. A veritable centipede. In scope and duration #VBSBankHeist prosecution is likely to contend with the likes of the Arms Deal.
