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The DA welcomes the progress made in ensuring that the Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions (DNDPP), Nomgcobo Jiba, stands trial for her actions at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) with regard to the Booysen and Mdluli matters.

This follows reports confirming that a date for the trial will be determined on 10 June 2015.

The DA further notes that the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mike Masutha, has finally made his submissions to the on-going Inquiry into the sitting NDPP, Mxolisi Nxasana, after missing the deadline on 27 March 2015.

Although the contents of these submissions are not yet clear, it is a step in the right direction to ensure that this Inquiry, announced on 5 July 2014, reaches a speedy conclusion without any delays to the timetable agreed to at its first meeting.

From the onset of this debacle the DA has contended that Ms Jiba, Commercial Crimes head, Lawrence Mwrebi, and North Gauteng (DPP), Sibongile Mzinyathi, should be included in the terms of reference of the Nxasana Inquiry established by President Jacob Zuma in terms of section 84 of the Constitution. The President has remained silent on this matter, refusing to accede to our requests regardless of the prima facie evidence on which they are based.

It would now appear that the Courts will have to step in where the President has failed to do so.

It is critically important that both the Inquiry and the Court proceedings are tended to diligently and timeously so that stability and credibility can be restored at a National Prosecuting Authority marred by misconduct and political expediency from the very top for years now.

Issued by DA