“Is Justice for Sale?”: NPA Faces Fire Over Claims of Shielding Top Cops and Politicians

South Africa’s criminal justice system has found itself in the eye of a storm once again and this time, the spotlight is on the very prosecutors meant to uphold the rule of law.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is under intense public and political scrutiny following shocking allegations that some of its own are actively blocking justice. KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi dropped a bombshell earlier this week, accusing prosecutors of refusing to sign off on arrest warrants for high-ranking police officials and politicians allegedly linked to a vast, violent drug syndicate.

This isn’t just another corruption story. It cuts to the heart of a justice system already teetering under the weight of public mistrust.

The Accusations That Lit the Fuse

General Mkhwanazi’s claims are damning. He says some NPA officials are deliberately withholding warrants of arrest shielding those in power from facing consequences for crimes ranging from political assassinations to celebrity murders. These aren’t minor offences. They’re the kind of high-stakes, high-level crimes that shape the country’s headlines and its future.

While the public reaction has been one of outrage, there’s also a heavy sense of déjà vu. South Africans have grown used to hearing about corruption within government institutions, but hearing that prosecutors might be protecting criminals instead of prosecuting them? That hits differently.

NPA Stays Tight Lipped

When pressed by the media for transparency, the NPA declined to reveal how many arrest warrants remain unsigned across the country. Spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga asked for “patience” and deferred responsibility to President Cyril Ramaphosa, saying the matter is now in the president’s hands.

“We must give the president space and time to deal with this,” Mhaga said, while also repeating the NPA’s commitment to rooting out corruption.

But critics say the vagueness isn’t helping. Legal experts and civil society organisations argue that the longer the NPA remains silent, the more it erodes the public’s already fragile trust in the system.

A System on the Brink?

Legal analyst Francois Botes didn’t mince his words. “The NPA is constitutionally obliged to act swiftly and without fear or favour,” he said. “When prosecutors fail to sign warrants, it undermines the entire justice system — it’s not just unethical, it’s unconstitutional.”

Botes pointed out that the NPA is responsible for ensuring that suspects are brought before court promptly. Any deviation from that mandate doesn’t just delay justice, it risks letting powerful criminals walk free, with the public left watching helplessly from the sidelines.

South Africa has already witnessed high-profile failures within the police and the courts. From unsolved political assassinations to bungled corruption trials, these latest allegations paint a picture of a justice system under siege, not just from external criminals, but from internal rot.

Public Trust on the Line

Social media has erupted in frustration, with many users asking whether the law still applies to those in power. “If warrants can be blocked like this, what’s the point of SAPS doing any investigations?” asked one user on X. Others called for President Ramaphosa to act swiftly, saying delays will only embolden corrupt networks.

The growing call from legal experts, civil society groups, and everyday South Africans is simple: launch an independent commission of inquiry, now.

Botes suggests that such a commission should be led by a retired judge and operate with full transparency, collecting testimonies and hard evidence to expose any obstructionism from within the prosecutorial ranks.

“This is about saving the integrity of the criminal justice system,” Botes said. “If we don’t act now, we’re handing the keys to the kingdom over to the very syndicates we’re supposed to be dismantling.”

Will Ramaphosa Respond?

The presidency has yet to formally respond beyond previous general remarks about fighting corruption. But with pressure mounting, many believe a clear and immediate intervention is the only way to restore faith in the NPA and the broader justice system.

South Africa stands at a crossroads. The question is no longer whether corruption exists within the ranks, it’s whether those tasked with cleaning it up have the will to do so.

And if they don’t, who will?

Source:IOL

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