There are two things certain in this world – death and taxes.

The problem is that even in death you’re not safe from the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority), with the level of incompetence displayed by the organisation drawing some sideways looks from local legal experts.

The big boss man is Shaun Abrahams, who has somehow organised the racketeering prosecution of a dead person. Over to EWN:

The deceased is among five people including former KwaZulu-Natal Hawks boss Johan Booysen, the NPA announced yesterday it would charge in terms of the Organised Crimes Act.

The racketeering authorisation lists Booysen as accused number one, his co-accused at number two on the list is a captain Neville Eva…

However, Eva died in November 2012 as a result of an infection in his heart.

The NPA’s Luvuyo Mfaku said the inclusion of Eva’s name is deliberate because the charge is one of racketeering and reference will be made to the deceased when evidence is led.

That seems fair enough right, why are these local experts getting all worked up? Well, according to EWN, they have spoken to four legal minds who unanimously agreed that it is irregular to authorise the prosecution of a dead person.

You may remember the name Johan Booysen from the last time he was tried on the same charges and acquitted:

This is the second time Booysen is facing this charge after the Durban High Court ruled in 2014 that the decision to institute the charge was irrational…

The NPA has also dismissed claims of a political conspiracy against Booysen. Booysen is central to a corruption case against politically connected businessman Thoshan Panday.

Mfaku denied there’s any vendetta against Booysen…

In a legal opinion addressed to Abrahams in August last year, prosecutor Jan Ferreira stated that after considering the evidence against Booysen, it would be nearly impossible to convince a court that he’s guilty.

At least we know one person who won’t be spending time behind bars is Neville Eva – one of the many perks of being dead I guess.

[source:ewn]