Justice in crisis: DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach slams NPA dysfunction, proposes bold reforms to end delays and political meddling

Key topics:NPA plagued by internal sabotage and political interferenceDA calls for independent, Chapter 9 anti-corruption bodyNew bill aims to overhaul whistleblower protections nationwide.Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here.The auditorium doors will open for BNIC#2 on 10 September 2025 in Hermanus. For more information and tickets, click here..By Kerry Lanaghan.Listen to this story instead:.Democratic Alliance MP and former prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach says South Africa’s justice system is buckling under the weight of delays, internal sabotage, and political interference. In a candid interview with BizNews’ Chris Steyn, Breytenbach painted a bleak picture of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and proposed a raft of reforms to restore the integrity of law enforcement and ensure that justice is no longer denied to citizens.Breytenbach’s commentary follows high-profile court appearances involving Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP protection officers and ongoing frustrations with prosecuting former Free State premier Ace Magashule. She praised the readiness and professionalism of the prosecutor in the VIP assault case. Still, she noted the arrogance of the accused, who attempted to hide their faces in court despite being filmed beating civilians in public.Turning to the Magashule matter, Breytenbach criticised the NPA’s handling of extradition procedures involving Magashule’s co-accused, which the courts found unlawful. The result, she said, is a missed opportunity for accountability and justice, as the key accused has likely left the country.What’s more alarming, according to Breytenbach, is the NPA’s internal dysfunction. Referencing reports that NPA head Shamila Batohi claimed the institution was “infiltrated” or “undermined from within,” Breytenbach argued that the rot has been evident for years. “She was warned from the beginning of her tenure,” Breytenbach said, lamenting President Ramaphosa’s inaction in suspending officials like Gauteng DPP Andrew Chauke, who she claims actively undermines reform efforts.“The president just sat on Batohi’s request for two years,” she said. “That’s not her fault. She’s done what she could. But others in the system make her job impossible.”To remedy the situation, the DA proposes creating a truly independent anti-corruption body, separate from the NPA and preferably entrenched as a Chapter 9 institution. This body, Breytenbach said, should negotiate its budget directly with the Treasury to avoid political manipulation and be staffed with qualified professionals who are insulated from reprisal.She expressed scepticism over the permanent establishment of the NPA’s Investigating Directorate (ID), warning it lacks independence and security of tenure. “The memory of the Scorpions being shut down for going after politicians is still fresh,” she said. She added that few prosecutors will risk investigating influential figures without job security guarantees.Beyond high-level corruption, Breytenbach detailed plans for systemic fixes, including a Private Members’ Bill to overhaul whistleblower protection laws. “We’ve seen for 30 years that the current framework doesn’t work,” she said. “It’s not about patching holes - it’s time for bold new legislation.”She also highlighted the DA’s “watching brief” initiative in the Western Cape, which places volunteers in courtrooms to monitor delays and identify backlogs. The program, she noted, has worked well and could be rolled out nationally to assist overstretched prosecutors, some of whom carry over 200 cases.Breytenbach proposes encouraging LLB students to support prosecutors through internships focused on administrative and legal prep work to ease the load further. “It’s a win-win,” she said. “Students gain experience, and prosecutors get much-needed relief.”From whistleblower laws to courtroom interns and independent anti-corruption bodies, Breytenbach’s proposals offer a detailed blueprint for rescuing South Africa’s justice system from decay. But without decisive political action - especially from the presidency - she warns that the cycle of impunity will continue, and justice will remain out of reach for too many.

Justice in crisis: DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach slams NPA dysfunction, proposes bold reforms to end delays and political meddling

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