Minister Thembi Simelane has assured Parliament that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is committed to work with the National Prosecuting Authority Investigative Directorate (NPA ID) to resolve the issue of access to data of the Raymond Zondo-led State Capture Commission.
In August, numerous reports surfaced claiming that the department was hampering the work of the NPA ID by blocking access to the data centre.
The NPA was reportedly locked in a stand-off with the department after full access to vital state capture evidence was allegedly blocked. The reports went on to say that the NPA and the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) lost access to a large digital evidence database gathered by the Zondo Commission investigators because of a lack of maintenance.
The department is the legal custodian of all the assets of the Commission, including the data centre.
Speaking at a meeting of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development on Tuesday, Simelane said she remains willing to look into the matter.
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She said she still needed to be taken to the data centre to verify it. “If they say it is sitting in the department, I will say open that room.”
“I have even tried to ascertain with the DG if there are any outstanding requests that have been made by the NPA or any of the state agencies that need any information with regard to State Capture so that at least, I’ll make sure that everything is up to date and try to look into the processes and statements…[that] were agreed,” the Minister told the Committee.
NPA National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Shamila Batohi said the ID requires “unhindered access” in order to fulfil its duties.
In a statement last month, the department said it had responded to requests for data from law enforcement.
It clarified that cooperation between the Ministry and Investigating Directorate of the NPA remain cordial and professional.
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