The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Friday it would ask an independent rights body to probe reports of racist behaviour by its staff.
NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said the prosecuting authority investigated every allegation of racism brought to its attention and took appropriate action.
”However, the allegations, whether rightly or wrongly, persist,” he said.
”At a recent senior management meeting, the NPA has decided that an objective, impartial and disinterested party, like the South African Human Rights Commission, should look into allegations of racism across the entire NPA.
”Racism can neither be tolerated nor be justified in the NPA.”
Tlali said the NPA would cooperate with the investigation and implement its recommendations.
”In addition, the NPA undertakes to cooperate fully with any such institution and/or participate in such processes that will at the end ensure that members of staff operate in a racism-free environment and that justice is dispensed impartially.”
Among recent allegations was a report in the Sowetan that a Johannesburg prosecutor routinely asked courts to send black youth offenders to jail but recommended white delinquents go to rehabilitation centres instead. — Sapa