Recent allegations in the media around the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Nxasana, raise serious concerns, not only with regard to the process followed in appointing this national director, but also with regard to whether the National Prosecuting Authority, NPA, is being abused to advance political ends.
The ANC Chief Whip, the hon Stone Sizani, was empowered by parliamentary Rule 22(3)(1) urgently to constitute the Justice Portfolio Committee so that this matter could immediately be investigated, but he did nothing. It is deeply concerning that neither the ANC in Parliament nor the members of the executive have taken any steps since the start of this crisis to resolve the matter. Where is President Zuma? Why has there still been no action on these serious allegations? With every passing day the reputation of one of the most important state institutions is diminished. That should not surprise us. Until such stage as the ANC respects the independence of the NPA it will stumble from one crisis to another. If we as Parliament do nothing we will equally be implicated in the scandalous state of affairs. Thank you. [Applause.]