MPs concerned about ‘impasses’ between NPA, Justice Dept regarding Zondo Commission database access
They said both entities should iron out their differences when it comes to accessing key information from commission’s archive.
- National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
- State capture
- Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture
Picture: @ParliamentofRSA/X
CAPE TOWN - Members of Parliament (MPs) say they're concerned about the "impasse" between the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Department of Justice regarding access to the Zondo Commission database.
They said both entities should iron out their differences when it comes to accessing key information from commission’s archive.
NPA boss Shamila Batohi told MPs on Tuesday that they are not being offered "unhindered" access to the database by the department, putting them under more pressure.
The Department of Justice denied suggestions that it was hindering full access to the Zondo Commission database.
This follows reports that prosecutors and investigators were not able to gain full access to the archives to pursue their cases.
African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) MP Steve Swart expressed his concern, “I think for all of us sitting here, it is deeply concerning and highly regrettable that this impasse exists.”
Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Glynnis Breytenbach questioned the integrity of the database when anyone can access it.
“Very soon you will have a database that means absolutely nothing to anybody. You won’t be able to go to court with any of that information because the chain of the integrity of documents would have been destroyed.”
The department and NPA said they would continue to engage on the matter to allow state capture investigations to continue.