Concern at the role of NPA 27-11-07

 

COSATU's concerns at the role of the NPA

The Congress of South African Trade Unions has noted persistent media reports suggesting that, now that all efforts to discredit the ANC Deputy President have failed abysmally, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is to be deployed in a desperate bid to bring him to court to face charges of fraud, theft and corruption before the ANC National Conference in Polokwane.

COSATU has consistently raised its deep concern that state institutions such as the NPA get deployed to sort out factional internal battles. These concerns have deepened most recently at the way the Director of the NPA, Advocate Vusi Pikoli, was suspended.

Many still have unanswered questions regarding the real reasons behind his suspension. COSATU had earlier raised similar concerns about the Emails and Special Browse Mole sagas, as well as the leaked minutes of the Scorpions, all of which have strengthened our belief that the NPA is being used by some elements within the state for political purposes.

All these issues remain hanging. The Ginwala Inquiry is not even being allowed to investigate if it is true that the real reason behind Pikoli's suspension is that he obtained warrants against the Commissioner of the SAPS, Jackie Selebi.

Under the circumstances surrounding his appointment, COSATU, and many others who truly believe in the independence of the judiciary, cannot have confidence in the Acting Director, Mokotedi Mpshe. We seriously doubt whether he can afford to be independent and impartial, knowing what happened to his predecessor.

Unless an independent and credible process dismisses the media and SABC reports that the real reasons behind Pikoli's suspension is that he refused to toe the line, his replacement, Mpshe, will always be viewed by many as one who is toeing the line or compliantly taking political orders.

The question we ask is whether Mpshe can withstand political pressure and will launch legal action not with the purpose of winning any case, but just in a blatant and cynical attempt to tilt the balance at Polokwane by presenting the ANC Deputy President in a negative light. Such a manoeuvre will plunge the country into chaos and COSATU will oppose it politically and in the streets.

Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)