Democratic Alliance (DA) Chief Whip John Steenhuisen has expressed regret after a motion to debate the alleged politicisation of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has been declined.

The DA submitted its proposed motion to Speaker Baleka Mbete.

It comes after allegations that the NPA has become a political tool following its decision to prosecute Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan for fraud.

Steenhuisen says the DA has received correspondence from Mbete declining to approve the motion.

“We are very disappointed. We believe an incorrect decision has been made. We believe that Parliament discusses what is happening at the NPA at the moment.”

Steenhuisen adds, “This is particularly re-enforced by the revelation that has come out in today’s media that in fact NPA head Shaun Abrahams met with President Jacob Zuma and a whole host of other people at Luthuli House prior to instituting the charges against Minister Gordhan. This makes it a complete lie of the fact that there was not politicization of this particular decision.”