Manuel arms police and sends warning to white-collar crooks

Crime fighting is to be given an injection with resources going to the police rising by 34% from R33bn in 2006/07 to R44bn in 2009/10. A report on the Mail & Guardian site says, an additional R2.4bn in 2007/08 will go to expanding police numbers and investment in technology and forensic equipment. Close on 190 000 police officers will be on the streets by 2010, and electronic fingerprinting and dockets will become the norm. The Budget shows Safety and Security spending rising from R35.9bn in 2007/08 to almost R43.6bn in 2009/10. Manuel issued a warning to white-collar criminals, saying a situation where individuals pillage and plunder millions from the companies they run, or from ordinary citizens, leaving them destitute, will not be tolerated. ‘Effective crime fighting depends on partnerships between our law-enforcement agencies and communities,’ the Minister said. ‘Through community police forums, all citizens have the opportunity to contribute towards making their communities safer.’ The Financial Intelligence Centre, the Financial Services Board and the South African Revenue Service will work with the police and prosecutors in dealing with financial crime and its proceeds. Full Mail & Guardian Online report

Manuel also has a special warning for trustees of funds and directors of companies, saying that where there is ‘pillaging and plundering’ they will pay dearly. According to a Moneyweb report, Manuel has made it clear he is fed up with shenanigans in the long-term savings industry as well as corporate SA. He said he has asked the regulators and law enforcement agencies to ensure that fiduciary and trusteeship responsibilities ‘receive the highest priority in oversight activities of our regulators’. The Minister said he has instructed the Financial Intelligence Centre, the FSB and the SA Revenue Service to ‘work collaboratively’ with the SA Police and prosecutors in ‘dealing with financial crime and its proceeds’. Full Moneyweb report

Tax dodgers beware. Manuel said an additional R1.3bn would be poured into SARS\' information technology systems. It will become harder to evade tax as SARS moves towards a ‘single customer view’, notes Moneyweb. ‘The modernisation of the (SARS) will enable it to manage increased administration volumes. A single customer view, automation, e-business and improved walk-in services will be supported by enhanced risk management,’ said Manuel. Full Moneyweb report