Civil rights organisation AfriForum on Wednesday filed criminal charges of corruption, fraud, theft, extortion and forgery against National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shaun Abrahams and six other senior members of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
“This follows after AfriForum received an anonymous letter that elaborates on allegations of serious criminal conduct. In this letter is a plea for AfriForum to ensure that the rot within the NPA is not allowed to continue,” said Monique Taute, head of AfriForum’s anti-corruption unit.
“One allegation refers to a covertly-funded fraudulent travel claim from four members of the NPA. The claims, submitted for authorisation to travel to Zeerust, misrepresent the fact that they actually travelled to Cape Town and spent R97 000 of these covert funds,” says Taute.
Additionally, it is also alleged that a witness protection vehicle was allocated to the NDPP, who then used the vehicle for personal benefit.
“I believe the suggestion here is that all government assets are strictly governed and that the logbooks, etc must at all times even under covert circumstances reflect the factual use of the asset, but in this case the NDPP has corruptly ensured a personal and/or gratuitous official benefit to which he is not entitled,” adds Taute.
She said AfriForum believes the allegations are of an alarming nature, and therefore requested the South African Police Service (SAPS) to investigate the allegations.
Taute said the allegations “should now be enough reason for President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Abrahams from office, as it is clear that he is not a fit and proper person to hold office”.
NPA dismisses AfriForum’s charges
The NPA spokesperson Luvuyo Mfaku, dismissed as baseless AfriForum’s charges. “They are so baseless. I think AfriForum is really desperate. I think they are desperate to tarnish the name of the NDPP and the image of the NPA.
“Those charges have no basis whatsoever. You have to look at the affidavit and the charges that they have attached. They are completely baseless. We have given an explanation that the NDPP was never involved and does not get involves with issues of security. Assessments are done by our security division. If they say let’s enhance the security of the NDPP, he has got no role to play. Due to cost containment and budget constraints we could not go and procure a new car or a specialised vehicle within the office of the witness protection which is a unit of the NPA,” Mfaku explained.
