The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) could have a structure responsible for receiving donations from private individuals and groups by the end of next month.
Justice Minister Ronald Lamola has revealed that the NPA’s bid to allow donor funding remains on course.
Replying to written questions in the National Assembly this week, Lamola said a task team proceeded to lay the foundation for a donor review committee at the NPA.
The DA’s Werner Horn asked about the progress toward development of a protocol to allow the NPA to make use of donor funding “in order to deal with the prosecution of cases that are flowing from the (state capture commission)”.
Lamola replied that progress had been made to the extent that a donations structure could be up and running by next month.
“On February 17, 2022, the Director-General of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (DoJ&CD) approved the NPA’s request to establish a multi-disciplinary Task Team to Develop/Review the draft Terms of Reference for the Donor Review Committee prepared by the NPA,” Lamola said.
“The Task Team met on March 8 and March 25, 2022. The Task Team is currently in the process of compiling a detailed report to the National Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director General of DoJ&CD in which certain recommendations will be made on the purpose, and the rules and procedures that will govern its operations.
“The target date for implementation of the protocol is June 30, 2022,” he said.
In its last annual report, the NPA indicated that it already accepted donations, but it needed a structure that would protect its independence and credibility.
“In an increasingly constrained fiscal environment, the NPA needs to explore additional funding options in line with relevant prescripts to enable it to become a cutting-edge prosecution service,” said the report.
“The NPA follows the National Treasury Guidelines in respect of accepting donations.
“Nevertheless, to underscore its independence, accountability and credibility, the NPA will add an additional governance structure in the form of a Donor Oversight Committee to monitor all donations and ensure transparency, fairness and legal compliance,” the report said.
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