The suspension of National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli will further dent staff morale in an organisation already battered by scandals and a staff exodus.
And insiders say it could hamper the Scorpions’ ability to deal with complex cases, including those involving the arms deal and ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma’s alleged corruption.
President Thabo Mbeki announced Pikoli’s suspension last Sunday, citing the breakdown of the relationship between Pikoli and Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla.
Despite its successful record in dealing with high-profile criminal cases, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has had its fair share of scandals recently.
In the past three years, more than 10 officials, including former director of investigations Jeff Ledwaba, former deputy director of the NPA Cornwell Tshavhungwa and former head of strategic operation Ayanda Dlodlo, have been dismissed on charges relating to corruption.
When he took over as national director in 2005 Pikoli made it his task to restore staff confidence and reduce the vacancy rate, which then stood at about 28%.
The NPA has suffered a haemorrhage of senior staff since the resignation of its former boss, Bulelani Ngcuka, in 2005.
Those who have left the organisation include Ngcuka’s legal right-hand man, Rudolf Masternbroek, Scorpions chief investigator Wayne Malgas and human resource manager Elize Roos.
During the past year, prosecutors Esmaré Rasmussen and Zirk Pansegrouw left the Scorpions to join the Pretoria Bar. Advocate Santos Manilal, one of the successful team that prosecuted Schabir Shaik, has since joined auditing firm Deloitte. Senior investigators Gerhard Naudé and Jaco Lubbe from the Scorpions’ Pretoria office have also resigned.
Boyani Tshetlha, of the Institute for Security Studies, said Pikoli’s suspension would create uncertainty among staff members.
‘In its own statement this week, the NPA said Pikoli’s suspension would lower morale among staff. If you suspend someone without substantive reason, staff will get worried,†said Tshetlha.
He argued that the appointment of advocate Mokotedi Mpshe as acting national director would not solve the NPA’s problems.
‘Whatever decision he takes might be tainted by the whole saga. This is a no-win situation.â€