In The Guardian yesterday director of South
Africa’s National Prosecutions Authority Shamila Batohi writes writes that
now more than ever “prosecutors need to show empathy for the vulnerable and be
vigilant against corruption and organised crime”.
She has very little to show in terms of corruption
prosecutions, particular crimes allegedly committed during former president
Jacob Zuma’s administration, now himself getting
his day in court.
Her appointment was greeted with “Ramaphoria”, Panglossian support for incumbent President Cyril Ramaphosa who his supporters
believed would overnight correct all the country’s problems.
But as the extent of the dysfunction of the NPA became
apparent to her, including it being “captured” by political patronage and prosecutions influenced by ANC politics, hope faded
of seeing the corrupt – even small fry – behind bars anytime soon. And with
that, hope dissipated that she personally could and would make a difference.
Under her predecessor Shaun Abrahams it was perceived the police are
reluctant to investigate and NPA to prosecute politically sensitive or
connected cases. That perception hasn’t changed. I have personal experience of
this with a corruption and criminal cases I tried to lay that the police and DPP refused to
open.
So, while not underestimating South Africa’s creaking
criminal justice system, it’s disingenuous to say she and her prosecutors must
and do empathise with victims (the “vulnerable”) of corruption and organised crimes
and that they are vigilant.
Her target of this bromide might be The Guardian’s
international readers. But it’s fair to say it’s not to South Africans, inured
as we are to corruption, high crime rate and lack of prosecutions.
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