The National Directorate of Public Prosecutions is expected to release more details on Tuesday on the decision by President Thabo Mbeki to suspend National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss Vusi Pikoli, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Mbeki axed Pikoli because of a breakdown in the working relationship with Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Brigitte Mabandla.
Government Communication and Information System spokesperson Themba Maseko said the suspension was made in terms of section 12 (6) (a) of the National Prosecution Act 32 of 1998.
Maseko said Mbeki considers the relationship between the minister and the national director of public prosecutions central to the effective administration of justice and the ”smooth functioning” of the NPA. ”The relationship breakdown had adverse implications for the NPA and the functioning of the criminal justice system.”
An inquiry will be instituted to investigate the functioning and role of the national directorate of public prosecutions. Recommendations will then be made to Mbeki.
On Monday, the South African Communist Party’s spokesperson Malesela Maleka said there were deeper issues surrounding the suspension.
”The way the Scorpions [and the NPA] have continued to conduct themselves has raised a lot of eyebrows and the people have lost faith in the institutions,” said Maleka.
He said an overhaul of the NPA and the Scorpions is needed in order to improve the public’s trust in them. ”More than perhaps the suspension, we need a serious overhaul which must be informed by the resolutions of the ANC national general council in 2005 and the policy conference that took place this year.”
Pikoli’s deputy, Mokotedi Mpshe, has been appointed as acting director.
”Government would like to reassure all South Africans that the functioning of the justice system will not be compromised, especially within the context of the collective challenge to fight crime,” said Maseko.
The move to suspend Pikoli comes amid a bitter turf war between the police and the Scorpions that has escalated to Cabinet level and soured relations with Mabandla. The minister has sided with the police, arguing that they are the superior crime-fighting force.
The move also follows allegations that the Scorpions had been overzealous in pursuing a corruption case against African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma and had attempted to smear the presidential hopeful. – Sapa