/ 27 November 2007

Move to expedite Pikoli inquiry

The commission appointed to investigate whether National Prosecution Authority (NPA) head Vusi Pikoli was fit to hold office on Monday held a meeting with Department of Justice and Constitutional Development officials and Pikoli in a bid to expedite the investigation, the commission said on Tuesday.

According to the commission, the meeting was called to establish a common understanding of the inquiry’s processes, rules and time-frames.

”There was general agreement that the work of the inquiry should be expedited,” the commission said in a statement.

Pikoli and Justice Department officials were given until November 30 to make formal responses to the commission’s rules and time-frames.

The commission’s chairperson, Frene Ginwala, said the meeting was meant to ensure the process remained credible.

”I am committed to upholding the integrity of the inquiry and want to ensure that its work is expedited so that unnecessary delays do not undermine the inquiry, its report and the credibility of the institutions and offices of state that are concerned in this matter,” she said. — Sapa