Disband, or empower the DPP
Friday, March 06, 2015
In-fact, the DPP then became an institution, which attracted esteemed lawyers who have since left to set up private firms. Some of them have made big names for themselves, whilst others have joined the bench as judges. Oh, the DPP was a great institution that secured a number of high profile convictions during those days. The same cannot be said about the DPP we have today.
Not only is the DPP head Rre Leonard Sechele a very ‘press shy’ officer, his juniors are also ‘court shy’. On Monday this week, Extension two Magistrate Court issued a warrant of arrest against a prosecutor who failed to show up in court for unexplained reasons. The officer was supposed to appear on a drunken driving case.
While every citizen, including the Head of State, has the right to voice opinions, the tone and context of the President’s comments were regrettably dismissive and risk chilling free expression in our country. The remarks are not isolated. They form part of a disturbing pattern of public attacks on independent institutions pillars essential to the healthy functioning of our democracy. The Judiciary, the Legislature, and now the media have all...