Former top cop ordered to pay back the money

The Pretoria Regional court has granted a Confiscation Order to the tune of R599,783 against the former top cop of the Crime Intelligence (CI), Major General Solomon Lazarus.

The confiscation order comes after Lazarus was accused of looting the police’s Secret Services Account (SSA).

The SSA is meant to finance covert projects, investigations and operations.

The SAPS also created a front company called Universal Technical Enterprises CC (UTE), which the force used to purchase covert vehicles for secret projects and investigations of the CI.

Lazarus was the Chief Financial Officer of the SSA and also a member of UTE.

All UTE and SSA funds came from the state fiscus.

Atlantis Motors was identified as the preferred service provider to buy vehicles to be used by CI.

All purchases and expenditures had to be approved by Lazarus.

The National Prosecuting Authority said that from the R64 million in transactions between UTE and Atlantis motors, money was then transferred to a slush fund in the books of Atlantis Motors.

Vehicle bonanza for Lazarus family

Lazarus used his position to buy personal vehicles for his wife and children.

He also used the same coffers to pay a deposit on his car.

Lazarus was found guilty of corruption on 9 December 2020 and sentenced to 10 years in prison for accepting undue gratifications during the period 2008 to 2011 to the value of R231,626.07.

ALSO READ: I told Hawks the Secret Services Account was being abused, also by myself; Zondo hears

Regional Magistrate, Adriaan Bekker, who presided over both the criminal case and the asset forfeiture application, ordered a confiscation inquiry on 9 December 2020.

During that enquiry, the Investigating Directorate (ID) argued that Lazarus received benefits totalling R1.242,132.31 from January 2008 to April 2012.

This included benefits received in respect of an ATV, a Kia Picanto, a Nissan Murano, a Honda CBR and a payment in respect of a scooter.

Bekker found that Lazarus’ total benefit was R599,783 and is made up as follows:

1. The ATV: R66,855
2. The Kia: R107,000
3. The Murano: R381,243
4. The CBR: R 44,685

Lazarus has since appealed against his conviction and sentence. He remains on bail pending the appeal.

(Compiled by Narissa Subramoney)