Mbeki, Mabandla file court papers

Former president Thabo Mbeki and former justice minister Brigitte Mabandla have filed affidavits in the High Court in Pretoria in support of the decision to fire national prosecuting chief Vusi Pikoli.

Pikoli’s lawyer, Aslam Moosajee of Deneys Reitz, confirmed that papers had been filed in court, as did Justice Department spokesperson Zolile Nqayi.

These now join the affidavits filed by former president Kgalema Motlanthe and former director general in the presidency, Frank Chikane.

Pikoli filed papers with the high court in February after Parliament ratified Motlanthe’s decision to dismiss him as national director of public prosecutions.

He claims he was suspended by Mbeki for ignoring political orders not to proceed with a corruption case against now suspended police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, and finally dismissed by Motlanthe late last year to prevent the prosecution of African National Congress president Jacob Zuma.—Sapa