NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY AMENDMENT BILL LEAVES PARLIAMENT

NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY AMENDMENT BILL LEAVES PARLIAMENT

• 13 March 2024
• Parliament
• SA Legal Academy

The NCOP has passed a ‘B’ version of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Amendment Bill, which will be sent to the President for signature.

Tabled in September 2023, the Bill was passed by the House three months later – having been revised by its Justice & Correctional Services Committee.

The NCOP’s Security & Justice Committee proposed no changes the Bill’s ‘B version.

In declaring his party’s ‘grudging’ support for the Bill, the DA’s permanent representative in the NCOP for the Free State, George Michalakis, referred to the possibly imminent tabling of follow-up legislation. According to Michalakis, it is expected to close gaps in the Bill apparently identified during the parliamentary process.

EFF permanent delegate for Mpumalanga, Mbali Dlamini, rejected the Bill. In her party’s view, nothing will be accomplished by adopting a ‘piecemeal approach’ to strengthening the NPA and equipping it to play a more effective role in curbing corruption.

This notwithstanding, once enacted and in force the new piece of legislation will facilitate:

• the establishment of a permanent Investigating Directorate against Corruption within the Office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions, and
• support its independence.

It also provides for the appointment of investigators, as well as their remuneration, conditions of service and powers.

• NCOP plenary (from 1:50:00)
• Bill’s ‘B’ version
• NCOP plenary minutes reflecting decision (page 22)
• parliamentary papers confirming Bill’s submission to the President for signature

Published by SA Legal Academy Policy Watch

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