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/ 29 November 2007

Acting NDPP to be briefed on Zuma

A ”final briefing” on whether African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma would have to face new corruption charges would be given to the acting National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) on Thursday. The National Prosecuting Authority said in a statement that the prosecution team was due to brief Mokotedi Mpshe on the case.

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/ 22 November 2007

Selebi review not yet complete, says NPA

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was not ready to announce a date for the completion of the review of the case against police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, it said on Thursday. Acting NPA head Mokotedi Mpshe was instructed to reconsider the case following the suspension of National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli.

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/ 21 November 2007

New political-offence pardons welcomed

President Thabo Mbeki’s announcement on Wednesday of a ”window of opportunity” for people convicted of alleged political offences before June 16 1999 has been warmly welcomed by most political parties. Pan Africanist Congress leader Motsoko Pheko hailed Mbeki’s announcement as an act of courage against odds.

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/ 20 November 2007

New Bill aims to enhance confidence in judiciary

Legislation relating to judicial conduct and ethics was unanimously approved in the National Assembly on Tuesday. Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Brigitte Mabandla said recent controversial incidents regarding alleged indiscretions by members of the judiciary had highlighted the lack of a credible legal framework.

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/ 15 November 2007

New presidential pardons to come?

A new process of presidential pardons for people who have committed alleged political offences appears in the offing, it emerged on Thursday. President Thabo Mbeki has asked Parliament’s presiding officers to convene a joint sitting of the two Houses next Wednesday for him to make an announcement in this regard.

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/ 15 November 2007

Motata on full pay while on trial

Pretoria High Court Judge Nkola Motata, on paid leave while on trial on a drunk-drinking charge, will have received more than R1-million when his case resumes next year. Moneyweb reported on Thursday that Motata is getting a full judge’s salary while on special leave.

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/ 19 October 2007

SA govt against apartheid lawsuit in US

The responsibility of addressing South Africa’s apartheid past lies within the country itself and not the United States courts, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Brigitte Mabandla said on Friday. In a statement issued by her office, she reiterated the government’s stance against the case brought by a group of apartheid victims in US courts.

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/ 18 October 2007

SA a human-trafficking hot spot, conference hears

South Africa is being used as a destination and transit point, as well as a source, for human trafficking, the International Association of Women Judges was told at a conference in Boksburg on Thursday. Public prosecutions director advocate Thoko Majokweni said: ”Malawian women are sold by Nigerian syndicates … to Germany, Italy and Belgium, and this all happens via South Africa.”

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/ 12 October 2007

Selebi pledges to work with review panel

Police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi has pledged his full cooperation with a panel of experts named on Friday to review a criminal probe against him. ”As an individual, I will fully cooperate with the members of the panel as announced … by the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority],” Selebi said in a statement.

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/ 12 October 2007

Selebi review panel named

The names of the panel expected to review the case against police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi were released on Friday. The Acting National Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Moktedi Mpshe, said the panel would be made up of Frank Dutton, advocate Mbuyiseli Madlanga, Peter Goss and advocate Shamila Batohi.

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/ 9 October 2007

Selebi won’t step aside during probe

Police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi’s office has rejected claims that police regulations require Selebi’s suspension while allegations against him are being investigated. Selebi’s spokesperson Director Sally de Beer said on Tuesday a Freedom Front Plus statement in this regard was incorrect.

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/ 8 October 2007

DA accuses Chikane of misleading the opposition

The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday accused Director General in the Presidency Frank Chikane of concealing information and deliberately trying to mislead opposition parties. On September 25, Chikane had invited opposition party leaders to a briefing on the controversial decision to suspend the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Vusi Pikoli.

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/ 5 October 2007

Mbeki remains silent on Pikoli

President Thabo Mbeki steered clear on Friday of the furore over suspended National Prosecuting Authority head Vusi Pikoli, opting to devote his weekly newsletter, ANC Today, to eye-care awareness week. As readers remained in the dark on Mbeki’s own views on the controversy, he began this week’s column with: ”Those who have eyes to see, let them see!”

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/ 2 October 2007

Selebi probe under way

South Africa’s acting chief prosecutor said on Tuesday he would investigate police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi amid reports a warrant had been issued for his arrest for links to organised crime. Mokotedi Mpshe, acting director of the National Prosecuting Authority, said he could confirm an investigation of Selebi was under way.

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/ 1 October 2007

Government denies allegations over Pikoli

There were a number of instances where a breakdown in the working relationship with Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Brigitte Mabandla was discussed with suspended National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli. This is according to government spokesperson Themba Maseko, who was speaking at a press conference in Pretoria on Monday.

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/ 1 October 2007

DA urges Parliament action over Pikoli

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has urged the speaker of the National Assembly to urgently reconvene Parliament so that President Thabo Mbeki can explain his reasons for suspending the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Vusi Pikoli. In a letter to the speaker, DA parliamentary leader Sandra Botha said the National Assembly has an obligation to deal with ”the crisis”.

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/ 1 October 2007

Mbeki ‘must break his silence on Pikoli’

The Democratic Alliance is to ask President Thabo Mbeki questions in Parliament relating to National Prosecuting Authority head Vusi Pikoli’s suspension and the reported warrant of arrest issued for police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi. The party’s parliamentary leader Sandra Botha said it was "imperative that the president informs the nation".

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/ 30 September 2007

Rumours swirl over Pikoli’s suspension

The suspension of South Africa’s National Director of Public Prosecutions amid silence by President Thabo Mbeki has led to concerns of government meddling in the country’s justice system. Mbeki’s integrity came under fire as his suspension of National Prosecuting Authority chief Vusi Pikoli was linked to the alleged pending arrest of police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi.

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/ 27 September 2007

SABC: Arrest warrant issued for Selebi

A warrant of arrest has been issued for police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) reported on Thursday. The state broadcaster said it had reliably learnt that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) obtained the warrant. NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali would not comment on the report late on Thursday afternoon.

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/ 27 September 2007

Mbeki speaks out on Pikoli suspension

President Thabo Mbeki has responded for the first time on his decision to suspend the National Director of Public Prosecutions, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Thursday. Mbeki was speaking to the broadcaster on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

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/ 24 September 2007

Mbeki suspends prosecutions chief

President Thabo Mbeki has suspended Vusi Pikoli, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, it was announced on Monday. Mokotedi Mpshe was named as acting director. The move to suspend Pikoli — met with shock and disbelief by opposition political parties — comes amid a bitter turf war between the police and the Scorpions that has escalated to Cabinet level.