COSATU applauds President Cyril Ramaphosa’s promulgation of the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Act

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) applauds President Cyril Ramaphosa's promulgation of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Amendment Act.

This historic Act enhances the powers of the NPA by providing for the permanent establishment of an Investigating Directorate against Corruption within the NPA to pursue and institute criminal proceedings on cases of serious, high-profile or complex corruption, commercial or financial crimes arising from the recommendations of commissions of inquiry.

The President's promulgation of this progressive Act is yet another important anti-corruption milestone by government, acting upon the recommendations of the Zondo Commission into State Capture. It is a clear signal that under the leadership of President Ramaphosa, that the African National Congress led government's efforts to cleanse and renew itself as well as society at large, are gaining critical momentum.

The Act provides for the appointment of a retired judge to exercise oversight over the Directorate's investigators and who will be tasked to deal with any persons interfering with investigators including those instances of any improper influence or interference, hindrance or obstruction, including political or any other, seeking to hinder investigations into instances of corruption.

The Federation believes this Act and the establishment of the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption will provide a badly needed intervention for the NPA and the state in the war against corruption that has bled the fiscus of resources needed to provide public services to working class communities, support the social wage that millions of workers depend upon and grow the economy.

Issued by COSATU

For further comment, please contact:

Matthew Parks(COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)

Cell: 082 785 0687