The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Andries Nel, today in Parliament refuted suggestions that the National Prosecuting Authority was rudderless and in crisis.
He was responding to a statement made in Parliament by ANC MP, Mr Salamuddi Abram in which he conveyed the appreciation expressed by Mr Vinod Hindocha, father of the late Anni Dewani, for "the outpouring of compassion by South Africans and our investigative, prosecutorial and judicial agencies for their professionalism."
Abram's statement follows the conviction of Xolile Mngeni in the Cape Town high court last week for the murder of Anni Dewani. His conviction follows those of Zola Tongo and Mziwamadoda Qwabe who was sentenced to 25 years.
Deputy Minister Nel said that the convictions were, "a clear demonstration that our criminal justice system, including the Police and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), have dedicated and competent women and men who are working tirelessly to ensure that all in South Africa are and feel safe."
Referring to suggestions made during parliamentary question time two weeks ago that the NPA was rudderless and in crisis under the leadership of Acting National Director of Public Prosecutions, Nomgcobo Jiba, Nel said:
"Contrary to the suggestions by some that the NPA is rudderless and in crisis, it has in the past two weeks again demonstrated that it is making a major and leading contribution in fighting crime by securing convictions in major complicated high profile cases such as the Dewani and the rhino poaching in which Chumlong Lemtongthai was sentenced to 40 years imprisonment."
He went on to add that:
"During the past year the NPA has achieved conviction rates of 84,6% in high courts, 73,3% in regional courts and 90,8% in district courts. This is not the performance of an organisation crisis."
Nel reiterated government's condolences to the family of Anni Dewani and expressed the hope that the convictions will start laying the basis for closure.
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