NPA dismayed as Maimane seeks Abrahams’ suspension
THE NPA has hit back at DA leader Mmusi Maimane for asking President Jacob Zuma to suspend immediately its head Shaun Abrahams pending an inquiry into his fitness to hold office.
Yesterday, Maimane accused Abrahams of overseeing the complete politicisation of the NPA, saying its work was characterised by selective prosecution.
“Instead of ensuring the law applies equally to everyone, Abrahams has safeguarded certain individuals from prosecution and from facing the full might of the law,” Maimane said in a statement.
But NPA spokesperson Luvuyo Mfaku said the claims made by Maimane and his party were baseless.
“We are dismayed that the DA is making such allegations,” he said.
In his letter to Zuma, Maimane said Abrahams’ actions had proved substance to perception – that the NPA was at best deferential to the executive and at worst politically captured.
“Nowhere has this been more evident than in advocate Abrahams’ complete silence and inaction on the unprecedented slew of alleged crimes contained in the Gupta email leaks.”
He complained about opening cases against the Guptas and their associates, ministers and officials in connection with the leaked emails.
“Since then, there has been no further action, investigation or any statement whatsoever by advocate Abrahams or his office.”
He also complained about delays in the prosecution in the case he opened on the Nkandla security upgrades, and that Abrahams allegedly refused to meet him over the matter despite his being told by the police that the probe had been completed.
Maimane said that as Abrahams failed in his job, he should be suspended pending a full parliamentary inquiry into his fitness to hold office.
“I trust the president will act without delay in suspending advocate Abrahams to restore the integrity of our prosecuting authority,” he said.
Zuma’s spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga could not be reached for comment.
Mfaku, however, said Maimane had been fully apprised on the Nkandla matter, and his lawyers were in constant communication with the NPA.
He explained that although the police sent a docket for a decision in 2015, they could not decide whether the probe was sufficient.
Mfaku said the special director of prosecution handling the Nkandla-related cases had directed the police to conduct further investigations and that related cases were being reviewed.
He stated that Abrahams did not make a decision to prosecute or not, but directors of prosecution did so.
Regarding the leaked emails, Mfaku said the Hawks had indicated they were investigating.
“They have not sent a docket for decision. We can’t investigate. It is Hawks or the police that investigate. In the absence of a docket brought to us, we can’t prosecute,” Mfaku added.
Maimane earlier this year called on Zuma to establish a commission of inquiry into the death of psychiatric patients in Gauteng, but this was rejected by the president.