NPA boss Abrahams briefs MPs on his ‘independence and credibility’

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head Shaun Abrahams on Friday morning appeared before MPs in parliament to assure them of the independence and credibility of his office.

Abrahams was summoned by parliament’s portfolio committee on justice to defend himself against, among others, whether his office was “captured” to fight factional battles within the ruling ANC party after his announcement on Monday that charges against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan would be dropped due to lack of evidence that he was guilty of fraud.

Opening the meeting, committee chairperson Mathole Motshekga said several incidents, including the withdrawal of charges against Gordhan, the dropping of charges against Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) head Robert McBride, and the subsequent release of the former public protector’s report into state capture gave rise to suggestions that the office of the director of public prosecution had been captured “to fight factional battles within the ruling party and fight for control of the National Treasury”.

“This meeting has been called to afford you an opportunity to talk to parliament and the people of South Africa about the turn of events because this parliament and the people of SA cannot afford to have any organisation like the office of the director of public prosecutions, which is not independent or credible or is not seen as being independent and credible because this office lies at the heart of our criminal justice system,” said Motshekga.