/ 23 June 2014

NPA: No comment on alleged suspension over Breytenbach leak

Why does Glynnis Breytenbach's reinstatement at the NPA threaten Jacob Zuma's allies? We explain it all in under five minutes.
Why does Glynnis Breytenbach's reinstatement at the NPA threaten Jacob Zuma's allies? We explain it all in under five minutes.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has declined to comment on a report that the head of its integrity management unit (IMU) was served with a suspension notice after a document on former prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach was leaked to the media.

“No comment, we are not commenting around this issue. It’s an internal matter, not a public matter,” NPA spokesperson Nathi Mncube told Sapa on Monday.

The New Age reported that IMU head Prince Mokotedi was served with a suspension notice on Friday, a day after the Star reported that a final report by the unit recommended that Breytenbach be criminally charged for corruption, misconduct, conflict of interest, fraud, and racketeering over her role in a number of companies.

The New Age quoted unnamed sources on the suspension notice.

In the unit’s report, which was similar to its draft report released in February, Breytenbach is accused of soliciting a loan of $1-million (about R11-million) from businessperson Nathan Kirsh, a complainant in two cases she was prosecuting.

She is also accused of accepting a R6.3-million donation from Kirsh through the FW de Klerk Foundation towards legal fees in her labour dispute with the NPA, according to the Star. On Friday, Breytenbach told South African Press Association: “If they [NPA] think they have enough evidence, then they should go ahead and prosecute me.”

Suspension
In April 2012, Breytenbach was suspended from the NPA and later faced a lengthy disciplinary hearing on 15 charges, which included failing to act impartially while investigating the Kumba Iron Ore Sishen and Imperial Crown Trading mining rights issue.

She was accused of “improper relations” with Sishen’s lawyer Mike Hellens. Breytenbach countered that this was related to her opposition to a decision to withdraw fraud and corruption charges against former police crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli.

In May last year, an NPA disciplinary hearing found her not guilty on all the charges and she was allowed to return to work, only to find she was to be transferred.

In the Labour Court, Breytenbach unsuccessfully applied to have her transfer overturned.

Breytenbach left the NPA to join the Democratic Alliance as an MP. – Sapa