EFF MP Tambo describes appointment of two State capture advocates as 'puzzling'

JOHANNESBURG – Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament Sinawo Tambo has described the appointment of advocates Paul Pretorius and Matthew Chaskalson as a controversy that could have been avoided.

The party is intensifying its calls to reverse a decision by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to hire the pair as consultants.

Chaskalson and Pretorius were part of the State Capture Commission of Inquiry.

Tambo, in an opinion piece on ewn.co.za argues that the decision to seek assistance from the pair by the NPA in dealing with the same evidence they handled during the commission doesn’t give a sense of neutrality within law enforcement agencies.

Tambo claims it borders on collusion and a clear conflict of interest, describing the appointment of the state capture advocates as inconsistent, deflective and puzzling. 

He argues that the outrage over the pair’s appointment is not a question of breaking laws but a conflict of interest issue.

Tambo, who even praises the lawyers for their abilities and personal credibility uses a sports analogy, saying with pursuing state capture cases with the NPA, the two have been made player and referee simultaneously.

He’s also hit out at the NPA questioning how it expects the two advocates to be successful – when they can’t even gain access to classified information.
The NPA has insisted all is above board with the appointments.