Question NW2940 to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
16 November 2023 - NW2940
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services
(1) What (a) total number of cases were rejected by the National Prosecuting Authority (i) over the past five financial years and (ii) since 1 April 2023 due to inadequate investigation by the SA Police Service and (b) was the total number of complaints in each specified case; (2) whether he will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) does not record cases rejected due to ‘inadequate investigation”. Where the SA Police Service submit case dockets to the NPA for decision where the investigations are “inadequate” the NPA provides the Police with directions for further investigation and the case dockets are returned to the Police.
In the lower courts, all Police case dockets presented to prosecutors for decision are considered and when further investigation is required, such directions as to the further investigation is provided to the investigating officer. In more complex cases dealt with by the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit, Organised Crime Component or the Serious Complex Tax Unit a PGI (Prosecutor Guided Investigation) approach is adopted earlier in the process.
The investigation is also monitored and the responsibility of the management within the South African Police Service and questions regarding the quality of investigations may be directed to the SAPS.