NPA seeks to speed-up apartheid-era probes

Several interventions are being implemented to speed up criminal cases stemming from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). However, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola conceded that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) does not have an investigative capacity. In June, the NPA announced an inquiry is to be established into political interference preventing the prosecution of cases stemming from the TRC. News24 reports that it acknowledged that the delay in finalising outstanding cases of apartheid-era crimes flowing out of the TRC is unacceptable. In response to a written Parliamentary question, Lamola said ‘the functions of an investigator rest with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’. He said prosecution-guided investigation methodology is being followed in respect of all TRC investigations. He added that the NPA is working closely with police and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation ‘to ensure that it is able to deal with all outstanding cases on an urgent basis’.