Recent reports that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was unable to access files relating to the State Capture Commission have sent shock waves through South Africa, igniting fears that those implicated in corruption might evade justice.
However, these developments should not be an excuse to derail the investigations or the pursuit of accountability against the individuals identified by the commission led by retired Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.
The NPA has already said the lack of access to the digital lab hampers the Investigating Directorate’s ability in dealing with state capture cases, but this was a mere technical issue that was being addressed. We can only hope so because the narrative surrounding access to these files has only amplified existing frustrations among the public regarding the slow pace of justice.
South Africans are justifiably outraged by the apparent lack of urgency in prosecuting high-profile politicians named in the commission’s findings.
This sentiment is exacerbated by the perception that there is a lack of political will to act decisively against those implicated. Nevertheless, the NPA now faces unprecedented pressure to expedite cases stemming from the inquiry.
The urgency for the NPA to act cannot be overstated, especially considering the staggering R1billion spent on the Zondo Commission. The public has a right to expect that the Zondo reports will not end up gathering dust like many previous commissions.
The expectation is clear: South Africans want to see justice, and the lack of access to these files, while troubling, will not negate the evidence and testimonies documented at the commission’s hearings.
One of the critical disadvantages of failing to hold state capture beneficiaries accountable is the erosion of public trust in our democratic institutions. If powerful individuals are allowed to escape justice, it sends a message that corruption is permissible, undermining our democracy. In a nation striving for recovery and renewal, the stakes are too high to allow impunity to take root.
Despite the challenges to access the files, the NPA must demonstrate its commitment to justice. The public is watching closely; any delay or failure to prosecute will reinforce the narrative that the powerful are untouchable.
The Mercury