MPs unhappy with reasons for suspension

PRETORIA: Parliamentary opposition parties were unmoved yesterday by the Presidency's explanation about the suspension of National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli.

"We appreciate the fact that we have been called but we would have appreciated it more if we had been told why this drastic step has been taken," parliamentary DA leader Sandra Botha said after a meeting with the Presidency.

Freedom Front Plus MP Willie Spies said: "We have left with more questions than there were answers."

It appeared as if the Presidency was busy with "damage control", he said.

President Thabo Mbeki suspended Pikoli on Monday because of an "irretrievable breakdown in the working relationship between the minister of justice and Pikoli", said a government statement.

Mbeki has made no statements on the issue but government spokesperson Themba Maseko said the president considered the relationship between the minister and the NDPP to be central to the effective administration of justice and the "smooth functioning" of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

"The relationship breakdown had adverse implications for the NPA and the functioning of the criminal justice system," he said.

He said an inquiry would be instituted to investigate the functioning and role of the NDPP. Recommendations would then be made to the president.

More than one opposition party said it was now awaiting the outcome of an inquiry to provide answers on the president's motivation.

Representatives of all the political parties represented in Parliament were invited to a briefing yesterday by Director- General in the Presidency Frank Chikane and acting president and Communications Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri concerning Pikoli's suspension.

The meeting, held at the Presidency at the Union Buildings here, lasted almost two hours.

Reacting to reporters' questions following the meeting, Chikane said it was not a breakdown of the personal relationship between Pikoli and Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla that led to the suspension, but rather in the structural relationship determined by the constitution, where "something had gone wrong".

"I have got to accept that it is the reason for the time being, but I expect that the process that follows will be far more transparent and give us clear reasons, otherwise we won't believe it," Botha said about the explanation.

Independent Democrats Leader Patricia de Lille, who also attended the meeting, said she believed the "real reason" would only become clear when the inquiry was set up.

She said she told the meeting that there was a need for the inquiry to be independent.

"It impacts on a very important constitutional requirement and that is the separation of powers between the executive, judiciary and Parliament and in this instance you see the executive has taken action against a member of the judiciary," she said.

Leader of the newly-formed African Peoples' Convention, Themba Godi, said it seemed there was an institutional problem.

"It might be less about the individual than the structural relationship that you have, unless you deal with it and simply change one person to the next, things will happen over and over again," he said.

ANC Chief Whip Isaac Mogase said he was happy with the information given at the meeting.

"I think we understood everything and we are happy (with the reasons given)," he said.

With acknowledgements to Cape Times.