Speaker, the ACDP would like to wish all presiding officers, members and staff, a very happy and blessed New Year. We also congratulate the Matrics on their good results. This year, as we continue to rebuild Parliament, may Parliament be a tree of life; the leaves of which are for the healing of our nation, with justice.
The country is undoubtedly at a crossroads. Will we restore law and order or will we allow criminal syndicates to further undermine our criminal justice system?
The State’s primary role is to protect its citizens, yet, it is failing dismally in this regard. Citizens do not feel safe in homes, schools, and public places. Yet, there are glimmers of hope. There are thousands of loyal and committed police officers, prosecutors, and judicial officers who faithfully fight crime on a daily basis.
We also have the sterling work done by the Madlanga Commission, and our own ad hoc committee, in exposing the rot. We trust as the ACDP, that government will use the Madlanga Commission’s report and the ad hoc committee as a baseline for police reform. This will require the necessary political will to remove compromised politicians and officials and to rebuild investigative and prosecutorial capacity.
Lastly, the ACDP would like to congratulate Advocate Mothibi on his appointment as the National Director of Public Prosecutions and thank Advocate Batohi for a faithful service. We trust that he will restore credibility to the NPA, hollowed out due to state capture and corruption. Let us provide the NPA and the justice system in general the with the necessary resources to defeat the criminal syndicates in the knowledge that good will triumph over evil, and that justice and righteousness—the pillars of God’s throne— will prevail.
I thank you.
