Media statement following meeting with NPA management
09 Jun 2014
The Constitution mandates the prosecuting authority to institute and conduct criminal proceedings on behalf of the State. It is a pillar upon which our criminal justice system rests. Our prosecutors must exercise their functions without fear, favour or prejudice. In doing so, management structures in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) must be structures of integrity which command respect.
The Constitution, in Section 179(6), provides that the Cabinet member responsible for the administration of justice must exercise final responsibility over the prosecuting authority. As the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, it is necessary for me to address the current challenges in the NPA.
I met with the top leadership of the NPA today, firstly with a view to meet and greet the leadership. I also wanted to address the concerns that appear to have captured the media attention.
I am encouraged about the fact the NPA is a well performing institution, which has obtained a clean audit over the past year. I called upon officials to continue to work in the spirit of mutual trust and support to deliver on their constitutional mandate.