NPA Dismisses Claims of Conflict with Justice Department as Misinformation

In a unified show of solidarity, South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development have fervently denied allegations of disunity and impropriety as portrayed in recent media reports, notably in an article by the City Press. The agencies assert that these claims are baseless and distort the truth about their strong collaborative efforts.

The contentious City Press article painted a picture of discord, suggesting that the truth about Justice Minister Thembi Simelane's connection to VBS and a loan from Gundo Wealth Solutions surfaced late due to reported friction between the Justice Department and the NPA. It went on to contend that irregularities existed in the hiring of Zondo Commission advocates, Paul Pretorius and Matthew Chaskalson, by the NPA head, Shamila Batohi, as well as claiming there were unsuccessful efforts to alter law that would favor Batohi.

Amplifying the allegations, the EFF released statements framing Minister Simelane as a target for her stance on the NPA's independence, while casting doubt on Batohi's adherence to legal fairness.

Responding with a categorical denial, the joint statement from the NPA and Justice Department on Monday firmly rebuked the recent article for its inaccuracies and for fostering an unfounded narrative of internal strife. The departments clarified that Batohi has never sought to extend her term beyond the legal age limit, as supported by the Constitutional Court's ruling deeming such extensions unconstitutional.

The justice entities highlighted their robust partnership, which is supported by mutual participation in governance structures, including NPA's involvement in department executive committee meetings, as well as ongoing discussions between Simelane and Batohi. They underscored that the procedure for hiring Section 38 counsel, such as advocates Pretorius and Chaskalson, has been both transparent and fully supported by the department for many years.

With a joint caution against the spread of misinformation and "fake news," the institutions stress their commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring support for the NPA and other law enforcement bodies. In doing so, they call for accurate and responsible journalism that reflects the true state of affairs within government operations and the legal sector.