Democratic Alliance press statement by Glynnis Breytenbach MP Shadow Minister of Justice NDPP probe: ANC Chief Whip must constitute Justice Committee immediately The DA will today write to the ANC Chief Whip, Stone Sizani, and Speaker of the National Assembly, Baleka Mbete, to call for the urgent constitution of the Portfolio Committee on Justice. This will allow the committee to immediately initiate a probe into the process followed in appointing the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Mxolisi Nxasana, as well as determine whether the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is being politicised. Allegations have surfaced that the NDPP, Mxolisi Nxasana, was not appointed through an appropriate process. Another concern is that Mr Nxasana might indeed be a fit and proper person to hold the office, but is now being pushed out because he is trying to assert his independence. Unabated political interference has severely compromised our prosecutorial integrity. Following a slew of scandals, the NPA has been saddled with a poor reputation. Parliament can no longer ignore this. Mr Sizani must enforce Parliamentary Rule 223(1) which allows for a committee or subcommittee to sit during a recess of the Assembly, so that the enquiry into this NDPP appointment can begin immediately. Once constituted, the DA will also request the following documents to be produced to the committee: • The full record of decision on the appointment of Mr Nxasana to the office of NDPP; • The application form for the office of NDPP completed by Mr Nxasana; and • The letters of appointment to Mr Nxasana for the office of NDPP; Since the approach of the Minister of Justice has been lacklustre in this regard, and indicates and unwillingness to grapple with the real issues, the DA will not turn a blind-eye while the NPA abuses its power to serve political ends. Parliament must now play its part in restoring the integrity of the National Prosecuting Authority.
Posted on: Wed, 11 Jun 2014 11:10:13 +0000
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