Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi says the independence of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will be of top priority, in the first meeting with a panel appointed to nominate the next National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP)

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the panel on Tuesday.

He set the panel a three-month deadline to call for nominations, shortlist, vet and interview candidates before submitting three names to him for consideration.

Kubayi says she is confident that the panel will deliver on time.

“We will issue a proper statement once we’ve met with the panel. We’ll issue the timeframes. In terms of the work, we can’t ignore the fact that the NPA, like any other institution, was affected by state capture. So part of the issue about rebuilding the NPA was about bringing the skills, as you can say. The issue of independence is important, that we must ensure that the NPA operates independently without fear, without favour.”

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Reporting by Kholo Tefo.