Corruption Watch | Hawks, NPA are failing the country on state capture prosecutions, convictions
Corruption Watch
Are the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Hawks dragging their feet on cases of state capture? Social justice NGO Open Secrets thinks so and lays out its arguments in a persuasive new report published in August 2022. There are many who would agree.
Bad Cops, Bad Lawyers focuses on the so-called bottlenecks within the NPA and Hawks – these are the officials and prosecutors who occupy senior positions, despite serious allegations of misconduct against them. They are the ones who are accused of opening cases against whistle-blowers and corruption fighters, and are viewed as having obstructed progress on high-profile cases. Open Secrets says it is high time their fitness to hold office is thoroughly investigated.
The report is based on evidence submitted to the Zondo Commission, confidential NPA documents, court judgments, and investigative reports.
Impunity reigns supreme
Nine years after the Gupta landing at Waterkloof Air Base, accountability for the transgression is still nowhere to be seen. Two officers were charged but the cases were withdrawn, confirming they were merely scapegoats. The incident sparked the still-ongoing national furore over state capture – and South Africans are still waiting for justice.
