NPA says budget cuts could have negative effects on the organization

Head of National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Shamila Batohi said if NPA’s budget gets any cut, it would reduce the gains made in rebuilding the organisation and its ability to do its job.

NPA made this known on Wednesday while briefing the Parliament’s justice committee on its annual report for the past year and its performance during the first quarter of this year.

Batohi stated that NPA could lose R1.1 billion of the R1.3 billion cash injection it was given last year if the proposed budget cuts gets implemented and this would affect NPA’s operations.

Batohi also indicated the achievement made with the additional funding.

She said it allowed the organisation to embark on the biggest recruitment drive in its history.

She however added that the financial impact of the pandemic and the state of the country’s finances meant it could face a cut of R1.1 billion.

“Any proposed budget cuts will seriously undermine the gains we have tried to achieve and also the President’s commitment to rebuilding the NPA,” she said.

She made it known that the NPA is discussing the proposed cuts with the National Treasury.

“What we must really guard against is that the NPA was given R1.3 billion for the next MTEF [Medium -Term Expenditure Framework] process. If the proposed cuts are actually implemented, approximately R1.1 billion of that will be taken away.”

“So, in effect, the NPA would have received no increase at all. We would have to employ over 580 fewer officials,” Batohi said.

She was of the opinion that the NPA needs more funds and resources for the fight against crime and corruption.