NPA defends progress in prosecuting July unrest-related crimes amid ‘slow pace of justice’ claims

WHILE the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has expressed concern over the “slow pace of justice” in cases related to the July 2021 unrest, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has highlighted significant progress in prosecutions.

- NADIA KHAN

In a recent statement, the SAHRC said it remained deeply concerned by the slow pace of justice regarding criminal incidents that unfolded during the July unrest in 2021.

This followed a case of murder from the unrest which was scheduled to be heard in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court.

The SAHRC, represented by Commissioner Philile Ntuli in her role as one of the July Unrest Inquiry panellists, attended the court proceedings on a watching brief. The watching brief formed part of various activities being undertaken by the Commission to monitor the implementation of the July Unrest Report recommendations.

In addition, the SAHRC said a total of 12 unrest-related criminal matters were heard in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court. Furthermore, six inquests related to Phoenix deaths were also conducted.

The SAHRC said “disturbingly”, all six inquests were concluded informally, without public hearings.

“These informal procedures, while legally permissible, fall short of delivering the level of transparency and public accountability warranted by the severity of the July unrest atrocities. The SAHRC is also actively considering its legal options to request the judiciary to convene formal and public inquests into the July unrest deaths, particularly those arising in Phoenix and surrounding areas, including Khan Road Corner, in Pietermaritzburg.

“The SAHRC calls on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the judiciary, and all branches of government to commit to restoring public confidence in the justice system by ensuring that the truth surrounding the events that occurred in July 2021 is uncovered through public, formal legal processes,” read the statement.

Advocate Elaine Harrison, the KwaZulu-Natal Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), said at the time of the unrest, “it must be remembered that the NPA had to properly coordinate itself to respond to the events as they unfolded”.