Lungile Ntimba
ActionSA has welcomed the signing of the National Prosecuting Authority Regulations into law, as a step towards assisting the Independent Directorate (ID) in executing its mandate effectively, said the party’s Parliamentary Caucus Leader Athol Trollip on Friday.
The signing comes after ActionSA submitted a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa on the 15th of August, requesting for necessary regulations to be gazetted since the ID was unable to fully access critical state capture evidence.
Ramaphosa on Monday, announced the commencement of the NPA Amendment Act, ensuring that ID is permanently established and empowered to operate effectively.
Trollip said that his party believes that since ID is now fully empowered, there’s a great opportunity to bring to justice those who have plundered the nation’s resources.
“For too long, South Africans have witnessed the devastating impact of corruption.” Trollip said.
Trollip added the party is determined to use every Parliamentary lever and institution to ensure that those guilty of state capture are charged and prosecuted.
“We hope that the NPA Investigative Directorate’s capacitation will enable the NPA to hold state capture perpetrators accountable” Trollip said.
The ANC Acting National spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi, said ANC is confident that the permanent establishment of ID will enhance the anti-corruption framework and significantly contribute towards the rebuilding of trust of South Africans in the democratic order and its institutions.
“These regulations are a decisive step in strengthening law enforcement capabilities to tackle corruption at the highest levels, securing South Africa’s future sovereignty and uphold the rule of law” Godlimpi said.
However, Democratic Alliance (DA) says the amendment fails to address the real problems within the NPA which lacks sufficient skills and funding.
DA Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Glynnis Breytenbach said the establishment of a permanent ID does not achieve much in tackling corruption.
“The fight on corruption cannot be solved with slapdash legislation which does nothing to properly ensure the independence of the NPA. For the NPA to make these changes it needs to receive an appropriate budget” Breytenbach added.
Breytenbach highlighted that the DA will be introducing a Private Members Bill (PMB), to amend the Constitution to establish the Anti-Corruption Commission as an independent chapter 9 institution which is empowered to investigate and prosecute serious corruption and organised crime.
She said the DA will work together with the GNU, to ensure that this PMB, which seeks to introduce a body with “real teeth”, can move South Africa forward in its fight against corruption.
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