ANC accuses DA of undermining NPA

The DA's attempts to reinstate charges of racketeering and corruption against two senior ANC politicians in KwaZulu-Natal undermines the NPA, the ANC said on Tuesday.

"What is worrying about the DA's move is that it forms part of what seems to be a well-calculated attempt by the party to undermine our constitutionally formed government institutions, such as the NPA," spokesman Senzo Mkhize said in a statement.

Mkhize said the National Prosecuting Authority dropped charges against KwaZulu-Natal legislature speaker Peggy Nkonyeni and economic development MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu after a thorough assessment of all available evidence and consultation with witnesses.

"The NPA made it clear that the charges could not be sustained against them during the trial," he said.

On Monday the Democratic Alliance filed papers in the in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in a bid to find out why fraud and racketeering charges were dropped against Nkonyeni and Mabuyakhulu. The NPA has 15 days to file answering papers.

If the DA's application succeeds it could call for the court to reconsider the case, provided there was sufficient evidence against the two.

Mkhize said it was absurd to suggest the charges were withdrawn because of political interference.

"The DA and other political parties should know that the NPA as an institution does not bow to political pressure, as that would be unlawful."

Charges against six people, including Nkonyeni and Mabuyakhulu, were formally withdrawn in the Durban High Court in November last year.

The six were linked to the sale of water purification plants to the KwaZulu-Natal health department, allegedly at inflated prices.

Initially 25 people were implicated in the so-called "amigos" corruption case.

Uruguayan businessman Gaston Savoi was one of the accused. Savoi's company, Intaka, allegedly paid bribes to ensure a contract to supply water purifiers and oxygen generators to hospitals at inflated prices, went its way.