Political interference undermines the NPA‘s effectiveness

POLITICAL allegiances and interference within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) allegedly play a role in its failure to secure convictions in high-profile cases.

- MANYANE MANYANE

A source with intimate knowledge of the inner workings of the prosecuting body said the NPA has experienced factionalism, particularly within its leadership, which impacts its independence and effectiveness.

They said this is the reason behind some prosecutors joining political parties immediately after leaving the NPA, highlighting that political alliances are hidden until they leave.

The NPA's record in initiating prosecutions and securing convictions for high-profile corruption cases is dismal.

It has failed to prosecute a significant number of major corruption cases long identified in forensic reports into Prasa, Transnet, and Eskom, and the Zondo Commission. In several instances, these reports provided the NPA with a complete or near-complete basis to issue an indictment. Not one high-profile politician responsible for state capture has been successfully prosecuted.

The body, constitutionally mandated to institute criminal proceedings on behalf of the state, also declined to prosecute President Cyril Ramaphosa for the Phala Phala scandal, where a total of $4 million (R62 million) was stashed inside a couch at his home.

The National Director of Public Prosecution (NDPP), Shamila Batohi, has been under fire for these failures.

Last month, Batohi caused a stir when she said that the NPA had been infiltrated by unscrupulous prosecutors working with criminals to bungle cases deliberately.