The case for financial independence of the National Prosecuting Authority

National Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Andy Mothibi.

There have been renewed calls for the National Prosecuting Authority to have financial independence, with both the Democratic Alliance and the Law Society of SA (LSSA) saying that this is an “opportune time” for legislative reform.

DA Spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development and party chief whip, Glynnis Breytenbach, said that they have once again written to Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi.

She said the party has received no response from Kubayi to previous requests for granting the NPA financial independence.

The issue of the prosecuting authority’s financial and operational independence is not new. Former NPA head Shamila Batohi previously raised the issue while testifying at Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.