The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) responded to the United National Transport Union (UNTU) in a letter to assure the Union that the investigations into state capture in Transnet is at a sensitive stage, but that the wheels of justice would be coming into motion for those involved.
The NPA also thanked UNTU for the interest the Union has in the ongoing investigations and to ensure that justice is seen to be done.
This response came after Steve Harris, General Secretary of UNTU, wrote a letter to Adv. Shamila Batohi, National Director of Public Prosecutions, asking her why there has been no arrests made and no prosecutions to date in connection with the state capture in Transnet.
Harris enquired from Batohi as to the status of investigations against those who were responsible for the loss of billions in Transnet, due to state capture, after Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said he had hoped to see prosecutions by now but does not know why the delay. Gordhan said UNTU should direct these questions to the NPA.
Harris wrote to Batohi that UNTU is very disturbed by Gordhan’s comments that the NPA and the Hawks must rebuild its own capacity after equally being captured over the decade which resulted in good people leaving the Prosecution Authority and the South African Police Service.
According to Harris, the Minister already indicated in January 2019 that prosecutions were eminent.
Harris says he is grateful that the NPA acknowledged his letter and responded to assure the majority Union in Transnet that its constituents will see justice to be done.
“UNTU members are the one bearing the brunt of state capture and this cannot go unaccounted for,” says Harris.
