The National Prosecuting Authority says adherence to proper rules and procedures is essential to maintaining the integrity and credibility of the prosecutorial process.
The comments follow the formal withdrawal of Public Finance Management Act charges against suspended National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
The NPA had instructed prosecutors to withdraw the charges after National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andy Mothibi reviewed the case and concluded that there were no reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the review found that there had been irregularities and procedural lapses in the handling of the matter.
He says the NDPP has powers to intervene when NPA policies and procedures have not been properly followed.
Kganyago says prosecutors must establish that there is sufficient evidence and a reasonable prospect of a successful prosecution before a case is enrolled.
The NPA says Mothibi considered evidence gathered by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, as well as reports from a Case Assessment Panel and an independent senior counsel, before reaching his decision.
The authority has also indicated that the matter will be subjected to further scrutiny to determine whether there was any misconduct in the assessment and enrolment of the case.