Is the NPA failing South Africa? A deep dive into incompetence and corruption

THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa is grappling with a profound credibility crisis, marked by a series of failed cases and mounting allegations of incompetence and corruption.

- MANYANE MANYANE and MASHUDU SADIKE

The recent Free State High Court ruling to withdraw charges against Moroadi Cholota, a former assistant to ex-ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule, has cast further doubt on the competence of this pivotal institution.

According to legal experts and political commentators, the challenges facing the NPA are deep-rooted and complex. Richard Spoor, a legal specialist, asserts that the NPA's troubles stem from poor leadership, insufficient resources, and an inability to retain skilled personnel. The recent mishandling of Cholota's case exemplifies these systemic failures. Missteps in the extradition process, particularly the failure to follow the correct procedures for bringing her back from the United States, led to the dismissal of the charges against her.