COSATU welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pending assenting of the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Bill

24 May 2024

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s pending assent of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Amendment Bill Friday morning 24 March 2024.

This is an historic Bill enhancing the powers of the NPA by providing for the establishment of an Investigating Directorate against Corruption within the NPA to pursue and institute criminal proceedings on cases of serious, high-profile or complex corruption or commercial or financial crimes arising from the recommendations of commissions of inquiry. 

Parliament’s passage of this progressive Bill is yet another important anti-corruption milestone by government, acting upon the recommendations of the Zondo Commission into State Capture.  It is a clear signal that under the leadership of President Ramaphosa, that the African National Congress’ efforts to cleanse and renew itself as well as government and society at large, are gaining critical momentum.

The Bil provides for the appointment of a retired judge to exercise oversight over the Directorate’s investigators and who will be tasked to deal with any persons interfering with investigators including those instances of any improper influence or interference, hindrance or obstruction, including political or any other, seeking to hinder investigations into instances of corruption.

The Federation believes this Bill and the establishment of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption will provide a badly needed intervention for the NPA and the state in the war against corruption that has bled the fiscus of resources needed to provide public services to working class communities.

Issued by Matthew Parks, Acting National Spokesperson & Parliamentary Coordinator, COSATU, 24 May 2024