Pleas for his resignation by protesters singing insults at the trial of African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma were his ”worst moment” in three years as spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Makhosini Nkosi said on Tuesday.
He and National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli endured ”unfair attacks, insults and criticism” throughout, Nkosi said in an interview with the South African Press Association just two days before he is due to quit the NPA to join the private sector.
The attacks became personal and worrying when people started saying ”nasty things” to his family in Pongola, KwaZulu-Natal, he said.
While for the most part he had felt proud and privileged to work for the NPA, it was this case that had made his job uncomfortable.
”[The] Scorpions were the darling of the people until the decision to prosecute Zuma.
”Not that Zuma’s prosecution was wrong, but there was always criticism from certain parties and individuals.”
No one had come out in support of the NPA’s actions.
”We did not hear Parliament saying leave the NPA alone because it is doing its work. The minister of justice and the ANC and its allies also kept quiet.”
The criticism created the impression there was something wrong with what the NPA was doing, he said.
Nkosi does not support the incorporation of the Scorpions into the South African Police Service, saying it would make some cases difficult to investigate.
”[The] Scorpions should be able to investigate the police and vice versa, but that is not easy if they are made one institution.
”[The] Scorpions are okay where they are,” he said.
Nkosi acknowledged that, as the ”middle-man” between the media and NPA management, he could have done more to foster interaction.
Among many ”unnecessary misunderstandings”, the most recent had been Pikoli’s slamming of the media for ”sensationalism and spinning of information” and his suggestion that journalists consult the NPA before running stories that might impact on investigations.
While the media should not have to seek approval to publish stories, it had been free to reject Pikoli’s suggestion, Nkosi said.
Describing his relationship with the media as always good and fruitful, he said he had ”never withheld information when I was at liberty to give it out”.
Nkosi would not elaborate on his new job, which he starts on Thursday.
”All I can say is I am moving to the private sector, but my employer will issue a statement on Thursday,” he said.
In a statement, Pikoli and the NPA management thanked Nkosi for his service and the commitment with which he executed his duties.
His successor has yet to be announced. — Sapa