Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi to take immediate steps to secure the financial independence of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The party’s Chief Whip, Glynnis Breytenbach, said in a statement that she had sent a second letter to the minister following Parliament’s adoption in June of a budget report recommending that the NPA’s budget be reviewed and that a separate budget vote be considered for the prosecuting authority.
In the letter, the DA urged Kubayi to act without delay by initiating the legislative and administrative processes required to establish a separate budget vote for the NPA.
“The DA has written a follow up letter to Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Mmamoloko Kubayi after receiving no response to our request for the National Prosecuting Authority to be granted financial independence,” Breytenbach said.
“This follows after the a Report of the Standing Committee on Appropriations on the Appropriations Bill, recommending that the NPA’s budget be reviewed and a separate budget vote for the NPA be considered.”
Vacant prosecutor posts
The party called on the minister to engage with the Minister of Finance and National Treasury to facilitate the direct appropriation of funds to the NPA, consider amendments to the National Prosecuting Authority Act and other relevant legislation to provide for the body’s financial and administrative autonomy, develop an implementation plan with clear timelines to achieve fiscal independence, and report to Parliament on measures being taken to strengthen the institution’s independence.
Breytenbach said giving the NPA control over its own budget would enable it to fill vacant prosecutor posts, train new prosecutors and retain experienced staff.
“If the NPA has control over its own budget, it can finally fill vacant prosecutor positions, provide training for new entrants and keep experienced prosecutors around. This will increase capacity at the NPA to convict criminals and keep South Africans safe,” she said.
She added that the DA had assured Kubayi of its full support should she move ahead with the reforms.
“Our letter stresses that the Minister has our full support in such an endeavour, and that this is a great opportunity for her to act and ensure the better prosecution of crime in South Africa,” Breytenbach said.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
