Chairperson, the ACDP is concerned about the political pressure placed upon the prosecutorial services, particularly in the form of unfounded allegations against the former Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Ngcuka and, recently, Adv Pikoli. There can be no doubt that the NPA has contributed significantly to the fight against crime.
Whilst the NPA can never be above the law, our call to all those who would want to see a further reduction in the levels of crime is to allow the NPA to do their work without fear, favour or prejudice. We trust that the NPA will prosecute those persons who uttered hate speech during demonstrations in the former Deputy President Zuma's rape trial.
The message from Parliament should be loud and clear: Hands off our prosecuting authority. The ACDP agrees with the views expressed by Prof Hugh Corder, that, I quote:
The vocal and empathic support of the leadership of the ANC Youth League and the Young Communist League is extremely disturbing. The test will be their response to adverse judgements on those whom they support in the future, not least the outcome of the corruption trial which faces Zuma in less than three months. We need to come alongside and support the prosecutorial services and prevent any political interference.
The ACDP will support the Budget Vote.