Suspended National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli has been awarded for his stance on prosecutorial independence, the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) said on Friday.
”In accepting the award, Pikoli expressed his gratitude for the IAP’s support and emphasised the fact that prosecutors are not politicians and that prosecutorial integrity is of the essence,” the association said in a statement.
The award was made irrespective of the outcome of the Ginwala commission, set up to inquire into Pikoli’s fitness for holding office, and which is still being awaited.
Pikoli was given the award during the 13th annual conference and general meeting of the IAP being held in Singapore from August 27 to 31.
The IAP said the matter is not only important to South Africa, but also to the international community.
Pikoli was suspended by President Thabo Mbeki in September last year.
Of particular concern is ”whether the executive arm of the government of South Africa was entitled to seek to interfere in Mr Pikoli’s decisions, one of which was to arrest and prosecute the national commissioner of police on charges, inter alia, of corruption”.
The IAP ”strongly upholds” the independence of all prosecutors who might be threatened by any form of improper interference. This is reflected in the IAP’s standards for prosecutors. These standards are adopted into South Africa’s own prosecution code of conduct.
”By defending the principle of independence on behalf of all prosecutors, Mr Pikoli deserves acclamation and recognition from his fellow prosecutors and the community of prosecutors worldwide.”
The IAP quoted Pikoli as saying: ”This is not about me but about our prosecutors and our decisions … I am taking a stand for the dignity, credibility and honour of all prosecutors.” — Sapa