By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Hermione Cronje has resigned as head of the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA’s) Investigating Unit.
It comes just two and a half years since her appointment and amid a growing level of public discontent at the slow pace of criminal prosecutions to emanate from the broader State Capture basket of corruption cases.
National Director of Public prosecutions boss Shamila Batohi has confirmed her resignation.
Batohi said she will formally recommend that President Cyril Ramaphosa accept Cronje’s resignation, effective from March 1, 2022.
“This will enable a swift and responsible transition which will ensure that the ID work continues uninterrupted. Our priority is to ensure continuity for the ID,” Batohi said.
She said deputy NDPP Adv Ouma Rabaji-Rasethaba would support Cronje during the transition period, during which time the new ID head will be recruited.
“After a challenging first start-up phase, Adv Cronje will leave the ID well-positioned to deliver on its important mandate. I am confident, given all the ground work that has been done, that its work will continue unaffected, in the coming months.
“Adv Cronje’s commitment to justice and to holding those responsible for corruption to account has always been clear. Indeed, it is something that brought us together and will continue to be a commitment that we will always share.
“We thank Adv Cronje for her hard work, commitment and sacrifices made in setting up and positioning the ID to bring to justice those most responsible for corruption in our country,” said Batohi.
Cronje’s resignation comes after Accountability Now has threatened NPA over the lack of progress by the prosecuting authority in the matters of which they complain would seem to suggest that there are structural, operational, capacity, skills and sabotage challenges to the NPA ever getting on top of serious corruption in its currently hollowed out and compromised state.
Accountability Now has even proposed a constitutional amendment of the National Prosecutions Act to address the problem.