The inquiry into the suspension of National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head Vusi Pikoli, which starts on Wednesday, will see several high-profile witnesses testify, including Reverend Frank Chikane and Scorpions boss Gerrie Nel.
The commission of inquiry, led by Frene Ginwala, said the government’s list of witnesses includes Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Johnny de Lange, director general in the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Manala Manzini and Chikane, who is Director General in the Presidency.
Acting police chief Timothy Williams and deputy director general in the NIA Arthur Fraser will also testify for the state, the commission of inquiry said in a press statement on Tuesday.
Pikoli’s lawyers still need to finalise their list of witnesses, but it may include director of public prosecutions Charin de Beer, Gerrie Nel and JP Pretorius, the deputy director of public prosecutions.
President Thabo Mbeki suspended Pikoli as the head of the NPA on September 24 last year and Ginwala, the former speaker of the National Assembly, was appointed on September 28 to head the inquiry.
At the time, Mbeki cited a breakdown in the relationship between Pikoli and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Brigitte Mabandla as the reason for the NPA head’s suspension.
The commission’s terms of reference cover two broad areas — Pikoli’s fitness to hold office and the working relationship between Pikoli and Mabandla. — Sapa