Is there a battle between the Public Protector and the head of the NPA?

CAPE TOWN – Public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has accused the National Tax Authority of failing to cooperate with her office and preventing an investigation into a Durban jazz festival that never took place, but cost taxpayers 28 million rand.

Mkhwebane is investigating mismanagement related to the Kwa-Zulu Natal North Sea Jazz Festival.

Several provincial ANC politicians are implicated in charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering brought by the NPA in connection with the scandal.

Mkhwebane has asked Parliament’s justice committee to mediate between her and the head of the NPA, Shamila Batohi.

Mkhwebane said Thursday that the NPA was not sharing information that would help it complete its investigation into the failed Durban concert.

He claimed that the NPA said it was interfering in the case and was refusing to produce documents due to the sensitivity of the matter, while also challenging its authority to investigate allegations of mismanagement.

“We are not making progress on that issue because of what the NPA says.”

Mkhwebane said the language used by the NPA in its letters to him did not show the “spirit of collegiality” that would be expected from institutions that share similar goals.

“The letters we receive from them, the tone of those letters is worrying.

“Yes, we will inform the National Director of Public Prosecution (Batohi) about this, but I hope that as a committee that we informed him, it will be helpful that he can intervene and help us and somehow mediate between the two so that we can move forward and cooperate. more fully. ”

The justice committee has asked Mkhwebane to put her complaint in writing so she can consider a way forward.

NPA spokesman Sipho Ngwema could not be reached for comment Thursday night.

Download the EWN app on your iOS or Android device.