Npa Slams Claim Of Plot To Charge Mashatile: 'rule Of Law Is Under Attack'

The National Prosecuting Authority NPA has rejected a Sunday World article on an alleged plot by two cabinet ministers and an NPA official to prosecute Deputy President Paul Mashatile .

In a media statement on Sunday, NPA North West spokesperson Sivenathi Gunya said the article is based on a clearly fake WhatsApp conversation purported to be between the NPA's Director of Public Prosecutions: North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, and two cabinet ministers who are not mentioned in the story.

In the alleged chat, one of the purported ministers allegedly tells the purported official to please proceed with the prosecution, after which the official allegedly says, Its not often that you get to charge a deputy president of a country.

The article fails to adhere to basic journalistic principles of quality control and verification, Gunya said.

The NDPP National Director of Prosecutions has full confidence in the integrity and independence of Adv Makhari. The NPA discharges its constitutional mandate without fear, favour or prejudice.

The NPAs current leadership has never experienced executive interference, Gunya emphasised, adding that the NPA will submit a formal complaint to the Sunday World editor and Press Ombudsman.

We believe that the journalist concerned conducted himself in an unethical and unprofessional manner and sought to tarnish the image of the NPA, the official concerned, and the Ministers concerned, Gunya said.

We will engage with relevant law enforcement partners to explore options relating to potential criminal conduct in terms of relevant provisions of the NPA Act.

The rule of law is under attack at multiple levels. We should not forget the painful lessons from the State Capture era where our country was brought to its knees by those using every possible avenue, including the media, to try to destroy our institutions.

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi also claimed on Sunday that the WhatsApp conversation was fake and opened a police case.