DA says NPA’s failures make it necessary to introduce new anti-corruption unit

CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) said the failures of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) had made it necessary to introduce a new anti-corruption fighting unit.

The party said it’s pursuing what it calls "a bold reform package" for the NPA, which includes passing the DA’s "Scorpions 2.0" bill to create an independent Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) with the power to investigate and prosecute high-level corruption.

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The party said the commission would go a long way in addressing some of the systemic challenges plaguing the NPA and will also attract much-needed prosecution skills.

The DA presented its bold plan on Friday morning after the NPA lost high-profile cases like the Vrede Dairy scandal, the Zizi Kodwa corruption case, and the Transnet corruption trial, which have all collapsed due to incompetence.

The party said even routine prosecutions were slipping through the cracks, with private groups like AfriForum succeeding where the State failed.

DA justice spokesperson, Glynnis Breytenbach, said the ACC would be free from political interference and go a long way in addressing the skills shortage.

"To fill up an Anti-Corruption Commission with competent staff would be much easier than the NPA. The ACC would not be hampered by the appointment processes that hamstring the NPA. The commission would have a different funding model, so it would be able to compete with salaries."

She’s called on Parliament to support the reforms, "or continue protecting the status quo where the corrupt are able to walk away scot-free".