THE NPA has vowed to prosecute those implicated in state capture.
Speaking during the annual Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert Honorary Lecture, NPA head Shamila Batohi said they were giving themselves six to 12 months to focus on prosecuting cases of grand corruption.
The economic cost of state capture has been estimated to be about R1,5 trillion.
“This is an insane amount,” said Batohi.
She emphasised that tackling corruption was the prosecuting agency’s top priority.
Batohi emphasised that the NPA could only achieve this if there was a well-functioning justice system, which was critical of building a healthy country and thriving economy.
“Even though the wheels of justice are turning slowly, they’re turning and people can’t act with brazen impunity anymore,” she said.
The annual honorary lecture is in commemoration of the late Slabbert, who was an anti-apartheid activist and former chancellor of Stellenbosch University.
The theme of Batohi’s address was: Citizen leadership in South Africa through the lens of accountability – action and service.
She denied allegations that the NPA was in crisis.
This rumour started swelling after the resignation of Investigating Directorate head Hermione Cronje, who had been in office for just 30 months.
Batohi said Cronje’s resignation had nothing to do with her.
“To be clear, the NPA is not in a crisis and there’s no widespread sabotage of the or any part of the NPA that is taking place,” she said.
