Dark day for KZN as charges withdrawn against senior ANC politicians

THE announcement that charges have been withdrawn against KZN Speaker, Peggy Nkonyeni and her co-accused in the Intaka racketeering and corruption trial, KZN Economic Development MEC, Mike Mabuyakhulu heralds a dark day for this province (see report).

The DA is extremely disappointed by the decision, which we believe is a further indication of the extremes that the ANC is prepared to go to protect its own.  The move also exposes the weaknesses within the judicial system in this province.  That charges have been withdrawn, allegedly due to insufficient evidence, is also difficult to accept given that this has become the stock excuse when ANC politicians are facing the heat. The DA calls on the Premier to ensure that the reasons for the decision are made public in the interests of transparency.

The withdrawal of charges against Nkonyeni and Mabuyakhulu leaves gaping holes in the State's case and will make a mockery of any effort to bring those implicated in the Intaka scandal to book.  If ever there was a trial in our province that should have been completed without political interference, it is this one.  That the ruling comes just one month after former acting KZN director of Public prosecutions (DPP), Simphiwe Mlotshwa, was dismissed from the post - allegedly following a disagreement with his superiors within the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) over the prosecution of these two senior KZN politicians - also raises serious questions.

The message being sent out by the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal is increasingly clear - those in positions of power are exempt from the law.   The DA calls on the Premier to ensure that the reasons for the NPA's decision are made public.  Failure to do so will further destroy the integrity of the provincial government and the ANC as an organisation.

Statement issued by Sizwe Mchunu, MPP, DA leader in KwaZulu Natal, August 17 2012

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