Statement of the Ministry of Justice and Correctional Services on today’s Bloomberg news Report
The Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Adv. Michel Masutha, has noted today’s Bloomberg news report on his views about the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Adv. Shaun Abrahams.
The report also cites the Minister’s view about a case previously preferred against Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan, by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
In addition to stating his conviction that he believed that there was a case to answer on the strength of the documentation presented by the NPA at the time, Minister Masutha also said that the NDPP’s review of the Priority Crimes Litigation Unit of the NPA had provided sufficient clarity in law that there had been no criminal intent on the part of Minister Gordhan. Minister Masutha therefore accepted that the subsequent decision of the NDPP to decline to prosecute was sound in law.
It is regrettable that Bloomberg did not cover Minister Masutha’s statement in full, which left the unfortunate suggestion of guilt on the part of Minister Gordhan, which was not Minister Masutha’s intention.
Lastly, Minister Masutha holds Minister Gordhan in high esteem, both as his fellow comrade and cabinet colleague and regrets the disconcerting effect that this may have caused.
Enquiries:
Mukoni Ratshitanga
Cell: 066 479 6012
E-mail: Mediaenquiries@justice.gov.za
