According to the document, to which the Lusa agency had access, the analysis also emphasizes that, from a phatic point of view, the processes do not advance quickly, "nor do corrupt practices seem to have been eradicated, remaining a reality in the life of the country".
"It is in this context that it becomes fundamental to proceed with a structural change in the organization and fundamental legislation regarding the fight against corruption", recommends the research.
Cedesa, an international entity dedicated to the study and research of political and economic issues in Southern Africa, especially Angola, proposes the creation of a judicial body in the country focused on combating corruption and a new judicial structure with its own powers to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption and money laundering (specialized sections of courts, judges and procedural law).
It also suggests the introduction of legislation providing for award-winning collaboration and the possibility of procedural settlements approved by judges between the parties to a criminal case.
According to the document, "these three measures are fundamental to putting the fight against corruption on the right track".
Cedesa recommends that the judicial body focused on combating corruption should have the power to investigate, search, seize, listen, detain and demand international cooperation, among other points, specialized in combating corruption.
"Such a body would centralise the whole investigation of major corruption and money laundering cases, having its own structure and status equally separate from other bodies", the document specifies, exemplifying with the 'Serious Fraud Office' (SFO) of the United Kingdom.
According to Cedesa, this would be a focused body, with the capacity to investigate, prosecute, file or reach an agreement, to make an application in court, and finally to follow cases from beginning to end.
"At the same time, an investigating judge attached to this crime would be established, as well as a chamber within the common courts, for constitutional reasons (Article 176(5) of the Constitution), dedicated to the trial of cases of corruption and money laundering (authorisation of acts requiring a judge)", refers to the study on the specialised chambers within the common courts with the competence to try this type of case.
With regard to legislation, Cedesa considers that it is "urgent" to adopt laws to facilitate and speed up the fight against corruption, allowing the adoption of measures of prime law and the possibility of reaching agreements in cases between the parties, such agreements being subject to the approval of a judge.
"The existence of the 'plea-bargain' (prize-winning collaboration), i.e. negotiations between the Public Prosecutor's Office and the defendants, leading to the return of assets, a lighter or non-existent penalty and the denunciation of other co-participants", the research highlights.
In the study, Cedesa refers to the case involving the businesswoman Isabel dos Santos, after accusations by the former chairman of the board of Sonangol Carlos Saturnino, and accentuated with 'Luanda Leaks', noting: "The fact is that, apparently, she has not yet been notified to make statements in the criminal case that was opened to her then in Angola".
"The reality is that there is a risk of a sharp delay in this process, neither condemning nor absolving itself, leaving a trail of injustice on the whole matter", he stresses.
"The comic episode about the passport with Bruce Lee's signature, which would be in one of Isabel dos Santos' cases, is a first faint symptom of the hypothesis of the failure of this process-symbol of the fight against corruption in Angola", the document stresses.
