By Johnathan Paoli
The Justice and Constitutional Development Department and the National Prosecuting Authority have combined their efforts in improving access to the Zondo State Capture Commission’s repository for the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
In a statement on Friday, the NPA confirmed a strengthened collaboration between the two, with a view to resolve all outstanding issues and facilitate efficient and effective responses to all IDAC requests.
“The parties also have agreed to set up a technical working group from both sides that will immediately start working on all the urgent issues to ensure that IDAC carries out its mandate without any challenges,” it said.
This follows a meeting by department director-general Doctor Mashabane and NPA head Shamila Batohi.
Additionally, Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi is expected to be regularly briefed in order to ensure high-level support to the investigation.
Earlier in the month, Batohi admitted challenges in the finalisation of the matter.
He reportedly claimed that several cases linked to state capture remained unresolved due to the former Justice Minister Thembi Simelane’s refusal of an NPA request to extend the contract of the NPA’s consultant and evidence leader Paul Pretorius.
In August, claims arose that the department was hampering the work of IDAC by blocking access to the state capture data centre.
However, this was strongly refuted by the department when it appeared before a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development in September.
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