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Date : 22/01/2004
Source: National Prosecuting Authority
Title: Ngcuka: Johannesburg Press Club


AN ADDRESS BY THE HEAD OF THE NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY, MR BULELANI NGCUKA, TO THE JOHANNESBURG PRESS CLUB, 22 January 2004

Salutations.

Thank you for the opportunity you have given me to address you today. I think you are also very keen to hear what my response is to the findings of the Hefer Commission, which was established to determine if I was ever an apartheid-era spy.

I am happy that Judge Hefer put the question of whether or not I was a spy to rest. As I have said before to me it was never a question - it was an attempt by those we were investigating to divert our attention by putting the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on trial. They have failed. However, the pain and suffering I saw on the faces of my staff - ordinary employees of the NPA - has left an indelible mark in my heart.

There had been times when people were not even sure if working for the NPA was a good thing or not. You must remember that the people who made allegations against me were people who were either investigated by my staff, or had their relatives or friends investigated by the NPA. In a way the attacks on my person cascaded down to my staff, whose contribution to the NPA I treasure above all else.

I have addressed the NPA staff this morning. I have assured them that all is well now, and that we must soldier on and do what the South African people expect us to do. I have assured them that the correct thing to do is still to do our work to the best of our abilities - without fear, favour or prejudice.

I have also reminded them of our obligations as an organisation. It is still plausible that the improper leaks to the media, which Judge Joos Hefer alluded to in his report, might have not emanated from our organisation. However, a possibility still exists that a culprit or culprits could be among our ranks. That, to me, would be completely unacceptable.

We are in the process of tightening systems within the organisation, in a bid to ensure that we limit the chances of classified information leaving our organisation, and landing on wrong hands or ears. Furthermore, we shall ensure that any employee who flouts the relevant rules and regulations is severely dealt with, in accordance with the law.

Many of you did read in the newspapers that over the festive season I would consult my family and friends on whether or not I should continue serving the nation in the capacity of National Director of Public Prosecutions. Those reports were accurate. Events prior to, and during the Hefer Commission hearings, caused my family untold suffering.

If I continue with this job these people - whom I care for so much - may still suffer more. If I continue as Head of the NPA I will still have to take decisions - sometimes difficult and painful - with even worse consequences to myself.

Indeed I have considered my position and my future as a person, a husband, a father, a son, a brother, a friend, and a patriot. I have decided that there are a lot of knots I still have to untie as South Africa's head of prosecutions. Despite personal suffering and peril, I am now more determined than ever to carry on with my job. It cannot be in South Africa's interest for me to give up the fight now.

My suffering in the past few months can be attributed to a handful of individuals. What saddens me is that to this day they continue to display minimal remorse in the face of the pain they have caused me, my family, the NPA and the country as a whole.

I have been given advice to seek relief from the courts and institute legal action against these individuals. What happened in the past few months constitutes one of the darkest moments in the history of our democracy. We really need to move on. I need to get back to work and steer this important organ of state, which our government has charged me with.

After broad consultation with my family, friends and colleagues in the organisation, I have come to the conclusion that suing these individuals will detract me from my work. Instituting legal action would take a lot of my energies, at the time the NPA needs my attention most. Such action would also delay the healing process and hinder the reconciliation I so desire.

2004 has, for me, dawned with new hope, determination, atonement and purpose. There is a bigger battle to be fought and won in courts. That battle is against crime.

I shall continue to do my modest bit in this battle. It is a battle I am determined to help win for South Africa.

Thank you for having listened to me. May 2004 bring all the success and prosperity to you and your families.

I thank you.

Issued by: National Prosecuting Authority
22 January 2004
Source: National Prosecuting Authority (http://www.npa.gov.za)

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