Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2007-09-27 Reporter: Boyd Webb

Mbeki Gives His Reason for Suspending Pikoli

 

Publication 

Cape Argus
Date

2007-09-27

Reporter

 Boyd Webb

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

The best way to deal with the conflict that had arisen between National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli and Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla was to suspend him, President Thabo Mbeki said yesterday.

With crime levels as they were in the country, the office of the Public Prosecutions could not afford to be embroiled in conflict *1 and stalemate *1 situations, Mbeki told the SABC on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The government announced Pikoli's suspension on Monday, citing an irretrievable breakdown *1 in the working relationship between him and the justice minister.

But yesterday, analysts argued that the president's decision to have Pikoli report to both Mabandla and Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula had been a recipe for disaster *1 and was unconstitutional *1.

"You cannot serve two masters *1," researcher at the Institute for Security Studies Johan Burger argued.

With acknowledgement to Boyd Webb and Cape Argus.


*1       This is what one gets for having half-wits try to run the country.