Publication: The Star
Issued:
Date: 2007-09-26
Reporter:
South African citizens will be legitimately concerned about action that
President Thabo Mbeki has taken against one of this country's security chiefs -
the national director of public prosecutions, Advocate Vusi Pikoli.
Pikoli, who was suspended on Monday, became the second key national
security figure against whom the head of state has acted. The first was the then
head of National Intelligence Agency, Billy Masetlha, who is currently
contesting his dismissal in court.
Ironically, Masetlha was fired for
the same reason for which Pikoli has now been suspended: an irretrievable
breakdown of relations with the cabinet minister in charge of his portfolio.
Naturally, questions would be asked whether the high exodus of key
players at this high level could jeopardise national security.
We have
no doubt that Mbeki has applied his mind to the matter involving Pikoli. We also
have no reason to doubt that when the president acted in the manner that he did,
he had the best interest of this country at heart. We believe that in executing
his duties to the nation, Mbeki is guided by the
constitution *1.
With acknowledgements to The Star.
*1 More likely guided by
self-interest *2
*2 Otherwise a more plausible
explanation would have been given by now.