AS THE custodian of our criminal justice system, any decision by the National Prosecuting Authority must be legally sound to enhance public confidence.
But events leading to the prosecution and subsequent quashing of the charges against the Marikana miners seems to be at odds with this.
Opinion was divided at the time about the decision to charge the miners in the first place.
The NPA is losing its credibility thanks to growing executive interference in its functions.
It started when then justice minister Brigitte Mabandla demanded that then NPA head Vusi Pikoli cease prosecution of criminal Jackie Selebi.
Then NPA chief Mokotedi Mpshe dropped charges against President Jacob Zuma based on spurious spy tapes.
Other instances of interference include withdrawal of charges against former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli, KwaZulu-Natal economic development MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu and speaker Peggy Nkonyeni.
Lastly, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe acted improperly in ordering the National Director of Public Prosecutions to furnish reasons for the prosecution of the miners on charges of murder.
The possibility may not be excluded that the NDPP might have been ordered by its political master to drop the charges.
It's an extremely worrying danger to our criminal justice system and it's time that the NPA starts to reflect on its integrity.
Puleng Mmila
Seokodibeng
NPA needs to reflect on its integrity
AS THE custodian of our criminal justice system, any decision by the National Prosecuting Authority must be legally sound to enhance public confidence.
But events leading to the prosecution and subsequent quashing of the charges against the Marikana miners seems to be at odds with this.
Opinion was divided at the time about the decision to charge the miners in the first place.
The NPA is losing its credibility thanks to growing executive interference in its functions.
It started when then justice minister Brigitte Mabandla demanded that then NPA head Vusi Pikoli cease prosecution of criminal Jackie Selebi.
Then NPA chief Mokotedi Mpshe dropped charges against President Jacob Zuma based on spurious spy tapes.
Other instances of interference include withdrawal of charges against former crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli, KwaZulu-Natal economic development MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu and speaker Peggy Nkonyeni.
Lastly, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe acted improperly in ordering the National Director of Public Prosecutions to furnish reasons for the prosecution of the miners on charges of murder.
The possibility may not be excluded that the NDPP might have been ordered by its political master to drop the charges.
It's an extremely worrying danger to our criminal justice system and it's time that the NPA starts to reflect on its integrity.
Puleng Mmila
Seokodibeng
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