The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s appointment of Advocate Andy Mothibi as the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).
Advocate Mothibi comes with decades of distinguished public service as a prosecutor, magistrate and more recently as the Head of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU). His track record as an anti-corruption champion makes this an inspirational choice to head the National Prosecutions Authority (NPA).
The NPA has been one of the weakest links in government’s fight against crime and corruption. Advocate Mothibi’s sterling track record of delivering real results at the SIU will stand him in good stead at an NPA in desperate need of firm leadership and a comprehensive overhaul.
It is critical that government provide the NPA with the resources it requires to win the war against crime and corruption, in particular skilled prosecutors, forensic analysts and accountants. We cannot afford shortcuts when it comes to funding this existential struggle.
South Africa has paid a heavy price for the decade of state capture and the pandemic of corruption. Whilst society appreciates the progress made to eradicate this cancer of state capture and corruption, it also correctly expects the NPA to get its house in order, to charge and successfully prosecute the accused, and most critically to secure convictions and substantial prison sentences.
Government needs to understand that the patience of society, in particular the working class, is not unlimited.
Issued by COSATU
Matthew Parks (COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)
Mobile: 082 785 0687
Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za
