|
Pikoli Speaks on Suspension |
| Publication |
Cape Argus |
| Date | 2008-11-11 |
| Reporter | Keith Ross, Sapa |
|
Web Link |
The suspended National Director of Public Prosecutions, Vusi Pikoli, still
believes that action was taken against him to prevent the arrest and possible
prosecution of suspended Chief of Police, National Police Commissioner Jackie
Selebi.
Pikoli is now awaiting the release of the report of the Ginwala Inquiry, which
has been completed and is believed to have
vindicated him.
He said on Monday that the Ginwala report was now in the hands of the president,
but neither he nor his lawyers had access to it yet.
Pikoli made this disclosure in an interview on SAfm Radio's After Eight Debate.
He said he had tried to get a copy of the report from the former Speaker, Frene
Ginwala, but had been told it was available only to the president.
The president would study the report and its recommendations and then inform him
of his decision on the matter.
Pikoli said the media attention he had received since his suspension from office
had made life uncomfortable.
"But it is a fact of life I have to accept."
He was also upset about being accused of not being a fit
and proper person to hold office. "It is
not a nice thing to happen
to anybody.
What people think is that the person is incompetent and inefficient, and may
even be dishonest*1.
"
Pikoli said his suspension came as a complete surprise even though he was aware
of the risks involved in his job, which required him to take "critical
decisions" at times.
"It is not a job for those who are weak in the knees. You need to stand up and
do the job according to your oath of office."
Pikoli had told the Ginwala Inquiry that he had little doubt about the reason
for his suspension. "I always said I strongly believe this was aimed at ensuring
that the investigation and prosecution of Jackie Selebi had to be stopped."
He said that after his application for warrants of search and arrest for Selebi,
he had received a letter from then justice minister Brigitte Mabandla, asking
for all the evidence on which he had based his decision.
She later asked him to resign, which he refused to do. This led to his being
called to the office of former president Thabo Mbeki, who questioned his
decision.
Pikoli said: "Why should I resign? It would appear this is a voluntary decision
on my part. I would have to lie to the public. I would have to lie to myself."
He said, in response to a question, that he had never been asked by Mbeki to
interfere in the case against ANC president Jacob Zuma.
"He never told me to do anything one way or the other."
The radio programme was called by the Democratic Alliance's leader in
parliament, Sandra Botha, who said the party had called for the release of the
Ginwala report.
The DA had also called for the end of Pikoli's suspension.
"On the facts we have before us, it was quite clear this was an intervention by
the (former) president in the independence of our judicial institutions, which
was absolutely not justified, so I would be very happy if advocate Pikoli is
reinstated in his position.
"We all know by now the (former) president wanted to keep Commissioner Selebi
safe from further investigation and from arrest, and from the issuing of the
warrants that had been done at that time.
"It was the constitution that was placed under threat."
Meanwhile, Ginwala Inquiry spokesperson Lawson Naidoo said it was up to the
president to decide what to do with the report.
A statement was issued to counter "misunderstandings" in media reports on the
process that might follow the handing over the report.
"It is our understanding that the National Prosecuting Authority Act directs the
president, if he decides to restore the NDPP (National Director of Public
Prosecutions) to his office, to do so, and it is our opinion that the president
would communicate that decision to advocate Pikoli."
Naidoo said the statement followed questions over why Pikoli had not been given
a copy of the report.
"In the event that the president decides to remove Advocate Pikoli from office,
he would be required to table a report to parliament, together with any
representations that Advocate Pikoli may wish to make and will have to advise
advocate Pikoli of his decision," the statement explained.
"It is our considered opinion that the report of the inquiry merely serves as
advice to the president, and the inquiry was therefore duty bound only to make
the report available to the president."
Naidoo said the inquiry had notified Pikoli's lawyers.
With acknowledgements to Keith Ross, Sapa and Cape Argus.