THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Shamila Batohi boss said on Wednesday that there was no crisis at the prosecuting body in the wake of the resignation of Independent Directorate (ID) head Hermione Cronje.
Batohi was briefing the Justice and Correctional Services Portfolio Committee in Parliament on Wednesday.
“Advocate Cronje has indicated the reasons for her decision and the NDPP fully understands,” she said.
“It’s a normal part of the development and growth of the institution that is focused on delivery and impact in the next phase of the ID’s life.”
She said sometimes there were tensions between individuals in high profile positions that come with lots of stress.
She went on to say that it was not expected that individuals in positions at this level leave due to “personality clashes”.
Batohi insinuated that there are other reasons for the resignation but would not go into detail at this stage.
She also assured the committee that neither the NPA nor the ID are in crisis, as systems are in place, institutional knowledge is still available, and neither of the organisations are dependent on a specific individual.
MPs also described the slow pace of arrests and prosecutions as a “shame” calling on the head of the NPA to start showing some results.
The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional also resolved to meet on a quarterly basis with the NPA in order to receive regular updates on progress regarding Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) matters.
The undertaking comes after the committee noted last week that the NPA missed the deadline to provide information on whether to prosecute in the matter of the so-called “Craddock Four”.
The families of some of the Craddock Four have taken the NPA to court in order to get a firm commitment with timeframes for a resolution to the matter.
Committee members across the political spectrum expressed concern that these matters have been delayed for so long.
More than two decades into democracy, families like those of the Craddock Four still do not have closure.
The committee further expressed its disappointment at how the matter was handled, as families were not informed prior to the deadline that it would not be met, as further investigations are required.
“It is regretful that we have made so little progress. We could have done more for the families and our fallen heroes. It is further worrying that these families were not informed prior to the time that the NPA would not meet the deadline,” said committee chairperson Mr Bulelani Magwanishe.
- Inside Politics
