NPA defends military staff

Daniel Nemukuyu Senior Reporter
The National Prosecuting Authority will continue enjoying the services of military officers and other seconded members of the uniformed forces until Treasury approves the recruitment of civilians.

Responding to media reports insinuating that the presence of the uniformed forces in the administration of the authority was creating chaos, NPA said the seconded officers had played a crucial role in establishing and reorganising the institution.

The authority dismissed the reports as malicious.

“We would like to categorically state that these are nothing but malicious statements and misrepresentation of facts by forces bent on destabilising Government operations at large and NPA in particular

“The officers indeed assisted the Prosecutor-General in the establishment of the NPA to become what it is today. Currently, the NPA human resources base is made up of seconded members from the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe Defence Forces and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services,” reads the statement.

NPA said the three senior positions held by ZDF officers could only be filled by civilians if Treasury agreed to their recruitment.

“The current posts, which are held by seconded members, will only be filled when Treasury has approved the NPA establishment and authorised the recruitment of staff to fill the vacant posts,” NPA said.

According to the Press statement, an attack on the few military officers seconded to the NPA was spiteful and a disguised attack on the ZDF.

“It is very malicious for anyone to pick on the three military officers as if their presence at NPA was outside the authority of the parent ministry. ZDF is not the only security service arm at the NPA.

“This is tantamount to attacking the Defence Forces as an institution rather than individuals, given the circumstances,” reads the statement.

NPA dismissed as false reports that it does not even have photocopying machines.

NPA faces eviction from Corner House Building along Samora Machel Avenue due to ballooning rent and utility arrears.