People charged with corruption can be found guilty even if the main charge has been disapproved in court following the amendment of the Prevention of Corruption Bill, security company GriffithsReid said yesterday.

Griffiths Reid managing director Jenny Reid said with the amendment people accused of graft could be found guilty of lesser charges even if not specifically charged with them and even if the evidence led in court did not prove the corruption charge against the accused.

Currently, if a person was charged with bribery or corruption under the existing act they could be acquitted completely if the evidence led in court did not prove the main charge.

"This situation is set to change in terms of the new amendment, which states that even if the evidence is not sufficient. The accused can still be found guilty on lesser counts of fraud or extortion as proven by the evidence, even if not specifically charged with that offence," Reid said.

"This is an indication of the seriousness which both government and business view the issue of corruption. The new amendment is an acknowledgement of the fact that many cases are thrown out of court due to insufficient evidence to prove the main charge and the accused walk the streets unpunished."

Justice and Constitutional Development Ministry spokesman Paul Setsetse said the bill was amended early this year and it provided punitive measures against people involved in acts of corruption.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and Business Day.