Deputy Speaker, Cope is concerned about the credibility and independence of the National Prosecuting Authority, NPA. [Interjections.] Cope would like the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development to indicate whether there is any politician in any sphere of government who has instructed, or tried to instruct, the National Prosecuting Authority to prosecute or not to prosecute anybody since the takeover by the "Pirates of Polokwane". [Interjections.]
Recently, the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries assured the farm workers involved in an unprotected strike that she would talk to some of her colleagues to get all charges withdrawn against those arrested for committing crimes. [Interjections.] If this is not a clear indication of both abuse of power and interference in the independence of the NPA, then the sun has ceased to rise in the east! What we want to know is whether the hon Minister delivered on her promise. If so, which Minister instructed the NPA to withdraw these charges?
We now have allegations that there is a 300-page document, the content of which the NPA does not want the people of South Africa to know about. We now know that the reason is not the security of the state, but how the NPA manipulated processes in order to make sure that President Zuma never has his day in court. What comes to mind is whether Adv Mpshe's elevation within the judiciary was a sort of payback and whether he is a fit and proper person ... [Time expired.] [Applause.]
Deputy Speaker, on a point of order: I wish to state that as an Orlando Pirates fan, I take the strongest exception to the callous use of the word "Pirates". [Interjections.]