Comment

In his column on November 24 David Gleason wrote, "I now discover that an internal memorandum penned by (the head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Bulelani) Ngcuka instructed all provincial directors of his department to prosecute whenever they had prima facie evidence of crime."

I wish to state the following for the record: no such memorandum has been issued by Ngcuka or his deputy, advocate Jan Henning SC.

Five years ago, we issued instructions that "no final decision to proceed with the prosecution should be taken unless, upon a thorough assessment of all the available facts, evidence and circumstances, there is a reasonable prospect of a successful prosecution".

If the column had been written by a first-year journalism student, I would have reminded them politely always to check their facts first.

Gleason's usual disregard for facts, and the fabrication of information in pursuit of a personal agenda, is unsettling.

Unfortunately, he compromises the quality of one of the best newspapers SA has produced.

Makhosini Nkosi National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson

With acknowledgements to Makhosini Nkosi and the Business Day.