I am with my deputies who I believe you know very well by now, but nonetheless I would like to take this opportunity to introduce them to you – Dr Silas Ramaite, Adv Nomvula Mokhatla and Mr Willie Hofmeyr. Adv Nomgcobo Jiba unfortunately could not be with us today due to a prior commitment.
I welcome this opportunity to be able to engage with the public through you members of the media about the state of our organisation that I feel very privileged to lead. I must start by acknowledging the warm welcome that I received from the Minister of Justice and Constitutional development, the Honourable Mr Jeff Radebe and from the Honourable Deputy Minister, Mr John Jeffery. I had an opportunity to meet them soon after assuming my duties on 1 October 2013. It is encouraging to know that I can count on them for their support.
I express my sincere gratitude to all my four deputies for their warm welcome. I want to congratulate them for holding the fort so well through all the difficult times.
The high level of their commitment and cooperation is impressive. I have no doubt that I can count on the good team to produce better performance in the next financial year.
Ladies and gentlemen of the media I take this opportunity to once again thank the members of the Justice Portfolio committee for their unwavering support and constructive criticism over the years.
The opportunity to account to the public through Parliament is always welcomed and appreciated. We commit to continue working hard and improve our performance amidst the challenges our organisation faces, including the current financial constraints.
I have a full appreciation of the enormous task at hand and by no means undermine the high expectations of the citizens of this country. I want to assure all those members of our society, especially those who have been victims of crime that this is a new dawn for the NPA. I have pledged my commitment to prosecute all cases where there is sufficient and admissible evidence without fear, favour or prejudice.
The war against crime can never be won by law enforcement agencies alone. It is through your support that we can improve our performance and deliver a South Africa where all people are and feel safe. We urge the public to assist us by reporting and preventing crime. We depend on their availability to testify in courts to ensure that we secure convictions in our cases. It is through working together that we can deliver a crime free society.
As we all know that a crime free society will increase investor confidence. The positive outcome will be an increased flow of investments. South Africa needs more investments to create much wanted and needed job opportunities for many of our jobless poor people.
The NPA presented to Parliament a much improved performance in this past financial year.
A significant increase in overall cases finalised was recorded in the past year. We will continue to strive towards meeting our targets in the next financial year. Further, improving the performance of the NPA will be one of my major focus areas.
The concerns raised by many in our society about some of the decisions that have made headlines recently have been noted. I acknowledge the negative perception that has been created, particularly, by some unfavourable court judgements delivered in the recent past.
The Judge Murphy Judgement in the matter between the NPA and Freedom Under Law has brought the NPA and its decision-making processes under serious scrutiny once again. As I informed the Justice Portfolio Committee on Tuesday, 8 October 2013, we decided to appeal the Judgement. I will not go into the details of the reasons for the appeal as the matter is now sub judice.
We hold the view that if the judgement is left unchallenged, it will have serious legal and practical consequences for the NPA. The appeal will clarify the parameters of the courts’ inherent jurisdiction to review prosecutorial decisions and the discretionary powers of the NPA to institute and conduct criminal proceedings as contemplated in the NPA Act.
Ladies and gentlemen I must hasten to point out that this is by no means an attempt to protect any individuals mentioned in the judgment. It is a measure that seeks to preserve the principle of taking decisions independently, fearlessly and without favour or prejudice. I plead with the public to have confidence and trust in our word that our intentions are pure.
I undertake to take the necessary steps to deal with anyone, including NPA officials, if found to have been involved in any unlawful activity of whatever nature. I will work tirelessly to change the negative perceptions about the integrity and credibility of the NPA. It is indeed unfortunate that the excellent of many dedicated prosecutors is overshadowed by a few cases that have occupied the media space recently. The good work of all prosecutors and other NPA officials who have contributed to the improved performance and our very first clean audit is a significant achievement that reflects extremely good governance in the
organisation.
It is imperative to ensure that there is capacity to deal with the ever increasing number of serious and complicated cases. I want to make sure that they get the necessary skill and support to enable them to perform their duties diligently. The prosecutors’ well-being is one of my top priorities. It is indeed part of my plan to meet and thank all the prosecutors in the visits I plan to undertake before the end of the year.
I thank you.
