Lamola hits out at EFF for ‘attacking institutions of democracy’

JUSTICE and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola has lashed out at the EFF for attacking the institutions of the country’s constitutional democracy and wanting to instruct the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on whom to prosecute.

Speaking during the mini-debate on the budget of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Lamola said it was unfortunate that some MPs continued to attack the institutions of democracy.

“It is shocking that in their attack they are being factional, attacking courts and singling out certain judges without any facts, without any basis and just armed with conspiracy, no reality. Such conduct is very dangerous in any constitutional democracy,” he said.

Lamola was responding to EFF MP Yoliswa Yako, who during the debate said South Africa’s democracy was entering a dangerous period where justice and the rule of law were being undermined.

Yako said the country had started to see a glimpse of justice employed by the rich and powerful to advance their interests while silencing the poor and the vulnerable.

“This phenomenon is more pronounced under Ramaphosa,” she said.

Yako accused the head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Shamila Batohi, of factional prosecutions, saying Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane was not being prosecuted for fraud and corruption arising from the Winnie Madikizela-Mandela funeral saga, despite the Hawks submitting a docket for prosecution.

She ascribed the non-prosecution to Mabuyane being a key supporter of Ramaphosa. She also accused the NPA of not prosecuting anyone for the Steinhoff matter.

Yako also accused Batohi and Lamola of wanting to hand over prosecutions to private individuals, with the government’s plan to source private funding for the prosecuting body, saying they wanted to “make the NPA dance to the whims of those who funded it”.

However, she said this phenomenon was not new as the justice system had been captured.

But Lamola said the EFF was factional, which could be seen by its failure to acknowledge that the NPA and Hawks were prosecuting the Tongaat Hulett matter – a white collar crime involving mostly white men.

He said the NPA was prosecuting without any fear, favour or prejudice. “They look at the facts of the matter and evidence.”