NPA in bind over claims of meddling

Admission sparks call for inquiry

The National Prosecuting Authority says it “cannot deny” that “severe political interference” stopped the state from pursuing dozens of cases linked to apartheid-era atrocities – against the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. “The [NPA] does not deny that the executive branch of the state took what one can describe as political steps to manage the conduct of criminal investigations and possible prosecution of the perpetrators of the political murders,” senior prosecutor Torie Pretorius states in court papers filed this week. Pretorius’s evidence emerged in response to an application by apartheid-era police officer Joao Rodrigues for a permanent stay of his prosecution for the murder of activist Ahmed Timol. It has been met with outrage by 10 former TRC commissioners, as well as the Desmond and Leah Tutu Foundation. They, as well as the family members of at least three murdered apartheid activists, have demanded that President Cyril Ramaphosa institute an inquiry into this alleged political interference, which has been confirmed under oath by former National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli and other senior NPA officials.

Pikoli revealed in a separate court case, aimed at forcing the NPA to take a decision on whether to prosecute anyone for the 1983 disappearance and presumed murder of young activist Nokuthula Simelane, that he was put under significant pressure to not pursue TRC-linked cases.