The DA welcomes the decision by the Gauteng North High Court to freeze three luxury properties, a plot, and a portion of a farm that are owned by former NLC syndicate members.
According to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) R56,3 million was siphoned from five hijacked non-profit organisations in order to fund the acquisition of these properties.
The funds that were looted were meant to assist with social hygiene, home-based care, community development, a museum and a library.
This further exemplifies the industrial-scale theft that took place under the former leadership (syndicate) of the NLC and its associates.
While this money should have gone to the most vulnerable in our society – the syndicate saw it fit to live it up off the backs of the poor.
This latest action brought by the SIU in obtaining this preservation order reaffirms the good work they have been doing since their proclamation was issued in 2020.
However, there needs to be a greater urgency on the part of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in charging and prosecuting members of the syndicate.
It is not enough for the funds to be recovered – these criminals must be placed behind bars.