Funds allocated to protect state capture prosecutors

A large portion (R15m) of the additional R102m allocated to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement will be used to increase security measures for prosecutors, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola said in response to a parliamentary question. According to a Beeld report, Glynnis Breytenbach, the opposition Democratic Alliance's DA’s justice spokesperson, asked for a breakdown of the NPA's spending plans. Lamola said prosecutors were dealing with cases of large-scale corruption and state capture and therefore additional security measures were needed. Another R38m of the R102m will be given to the new Investigative Directorate for State Capture, R29m to bolster the Asset Forfeiture Unit and Specialised Commercial Crime Unit, and R20m for the witness protection programme. Some of these allocations would be used to fill vacancies, he said. Some funds were also re-allocated for the NPA training programme for aspirant prosecutors. Lamola said the government has stepped up its fight against gender-based violence with more funds allocated. A report in The Mercury notes President Cyril Ramaphosa had initially allocated R1.1bn to gender-based violence following a wave of protests in the country, but increased the funding to R1.6bn after he urged departments to reprioritise funding.

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