The National Prosecuting Authority in the Eastern Cape is investigating the source of a document circulating on social media platforms that purported that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the province has issued instructions not to enrol drug matters due to the high volume of these matters. 

THE STATEMENT 

The document titled �"Guidance to SAPS” reads: �"Good day colleagues, we received DDP instructions not to enrol drug matters due to the high volume of matters on our roll and/or as a mechanism to control court roll,” read the letter. �"My advice. Please colleagues do not be demoralised, effect arrests, and submit the dockets for screening and guidance. As an aside, serious drug matter such as high quality of drugs eg: 50 and above may be enrolled subject to the discretion of SPP and or control prosecutor,” concluded the statement with the stamp of 24 July 2024.

IT’S FAKE

NPA provincial spokesperson Luxolo Tyali said the document is fake. "The DPP, Barry Madolo,has never issued such an instruction. The Chief Prosecutor for the Mthatha Cluster, under whose letterhead the letter is written is also not aware of the document as he is not the author," Tyali said. He added: "The NPA wishes to allay the fears of the public, justifiably raised by the letter, and make a commitment that there will be consequences should anyone be found to have improperly and mischievously caused the panic," he added. He said the NPA works closely with police and if such shocking "guidance" had been brought to its management, they would have raised it with the DPP and such has not happened," he said.