Publication: Cape Times Issued: Date: 2008-04-24 Reporter: Reporter:

Vusi Pikoli Able to Tell His Story

 

Publication 

Cape Times
Date

2008-04-24

Web Link

 www.capetimes.co.za

 

Suspended prosecuting boss Vusi Pikoli will be able to tell South Africa why he believes he was fired - as long as he keeps mum about the state's case against national police commissioner Jackie Selebi.

Following weeks of legal wrangling between The Star and the Ginwala Commission, Frene Ginwala on Wednesday backed down from her refusal to release any documents related to the hearing into Pikoli's fitness to hold office.

Stating that it would be up to lawyers for Pikoli and the government to decide whether they wanted to release their submissions, Ginwala stressed, however, that they should "take into consideration issues relating to matters that may be sub judice, pending or by law not open to public disclosure".

These issues are understood to include the state's case against Selebi. Pikoli's attorney Aslam Moosajee confirmed on Wednesday that Pikoli would release his submissions "subject to the concerns of Ginwala", but lawyers for the state have thus far refused to hand over documents related to their case against Pikoli.

Nearly a month ago, commission spokesperson Lawson Naidoo said that none of the submissions would be released to the public.

On Wednesday, however, Ginwala said that, although she had turned down The Star's request, she had done so because she believed that the parties should make the decision to release the documents. She also revealed that most of the submissions were not classified.

Attorney Dario Milo said on Wednesday that Independent Newspapers had taken legal action over the submission because the company "wishes to vindicate the right of the public to be informed of material of obvious public interest".
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With acknowledgement to Cape Times.