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National director of public prosecutions Shamila Batohi says those who are facing justice are now coming up with several excuses, including that the prosecution service is being weaponised.
The prosecution authority has for many years been accused of participating in political battles, with some saying it always appears to lean towards the sitting president, targeting those against the number one citizen.
Batohi, who was speaking at the NPA head office in Pretoria during the graduation ceremony of law graduates on Thursday, said prosecutors needed to remember they were people’s lawyers.
At least 650 law graduates were absorbed into the prosecuting authority flagship programme, which formed a bigger recruitment strategy for the prosecution service.
She said:
Batohi added those who feared justice the most were ramping up their attacks on the rule of law and driving the public narrative that prosecutions were being "weaponised" to discredit their political ambitions. She said:
Batohi mentioned they expected prosecutors who would commit to ongoing learning and taking steps to improve their competencies, particularly as the nature of crime changes and more sophisticated and complex forms of organised crime emerge.
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“You must remember that prosecutors are powerful officials who determine, among other factors, whether to prosecute, whom to prosecute, and for which crimes. But, as the adage goes, with great power comes great responsibility and as the NPA, we will not hesitate in holding you accountable in terms of how you exercise your powers as prosecutors. So, always do the right thing for the right reasons,” she advised.
Batohi, who was joined by her deputies and minister of justice Ronald Lamola, added: "As prosecutors, we do not target individuals.
The NPA boss said their vision for the Aspirant Prosecutor Programme is to continue to recruit young people who would provide the NPA with the skills and capabilities necessary to discharge their mandate. The training includes skills on how to fight cybercrime, corruption, fraud and money laundering.
