KZN Amigo's: DA to go Public Access to Information application (PAIA) route should NPA fail to release records of decision
SHOULD the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) fail to commit to releasing the records of its decision to drop charges against two high-profile provincial ANC politicians, the Democratic Alliance will submit a Public Access to Information application by the end of the week.
On 20th August 2012, I wrote to KZN Acting Director of Public Prosecuting (ADPP), Advocate Moipone Noko , demanding that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) immediately release the records of its decision to drop charges of fraud and corruption against KZN Speaker, Peggy Nkonyeni and KZN MEC, Mike Mabuyakhulu as part of the Intaka water purification scandal. Three days later the NPA acknowledged receipt of my letter and advised that a response would follow "in due course".
This is not good enough and the NPA must treat this matter with the magnitude it deserves. The fact that this information remains under wraps is fuelling suspicion around the circumstances for the decision, with the delay serving to promote concerns that political influences are at play.
These records are public property and there is no good reason why they should not be made immediately available. Yet it appears that the NPA is prepared to play the waiting game, not only with the DA, but also with KwaZulu-Natal citizens.
The DA is committed to uncovering and disclosing the reasons for the abrupt exclusion of these two individuals from standing trial. It is highly suspicious that they should be cleared, while their co-accused government officials are on suspension and face judgement. We expect Advocate Noko to urgently release the record of decision to both the DA and the broader public, failing which we will be forced to take action.
Statement issued by Sizwe Mchunu MPP, Leader of the DA in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature, August 28 2012
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