The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) this morning raided the Joburg offices of state capture suspect company, Alexander Bay Diamonds.
Alexander Bay Diamonds is a Gupta-linked entity which won a lucrative ocean diamond mining contract with state-owned diamond entity Alexkor.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago speaking outside the offices in Killarney, said the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday granted the unit a warrant to conduct a search and seizure at the premises of the Alexander Bay Diamonds Company PTY LTD (Alexander Bay), previously known as Scarlet Sky Investments 60 PTY LTD and related companies.
Kganyago said the SIU was authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in respect of marketing, valuation, sale and beneficiation of diamonds, pursuant to agreements concluded between Alexkor and service providers
He said the unit’s investigators with the assistance of the Hawks were currently raiding the offices of Alexander Bay in Joburg for information and pieces of evidence that will assist with an ongoing investigation relating to the affairs of Alexkor, the state’s diamond mining company.
SIU Spokesperson, Mr Kaizer Kganyago, explains why the SIU are raiding the Alexandra Bay Diamond Company offices today.#SIUWorkingForYou pic.twitter.com/kjuhAtNxxs
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) August 11, 2022
“We have gotten a court order that we want to execute today and we are busy doing that and at the moment our teams are inside to try to get all the documentation we want to finalise this investigation as soon as possible,” Kganyago said.
He added that the raid was going very well and they were confident that the teams would find all the information required.
Kganyago confirmed they had completed the operation and got all documents including digital ones.
The documents will go to forensic experts. The expert will sift through and follow the money trail,“ Kganyago said.
He said the SIU was empowered by the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act (SIU Act) to subpoena bank statements and cellphone records, search and seize evidence, and interrogate witnesses under oath in order to fully investigate allegations brought before the unit.
The SIU is currently conducting a search and seizure at Alexandra Bay Diamonds Company. Read our thread below to find out why https://t.co/hq5PrHB1mj pic.twitter.com/s7ekKeWqdq
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) August 11, 2022
Kganyago further said the unit was also empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name, to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration.
The SIU received a tip off from a whistleblower that there is alleged serious maladministration in the affairs of Alexkor, in respect of the marketing, valuation, sale and beneficiation of diamonds. pic.twitter.com/ww55baXQ0H
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) August 11, 2022
And in line with the SIU Act, the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action.