ACDP shocked at suspension of Pikoli
By Celeste Ganga
25 September 2007
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has expressed their shock at the recent suspension of National Director of Public Prosecutions, Vusi Pikoli by President Thabo Mbeki. The suspension is allegedly due to the breakdown in Pikoli’s working relationship with Minister of Justice, Brigitte Mabandla.
“We could understand if the suspension related to incompetence, incapacity or corruption. This is a very drastic step.” says ACDP spokesperson on Justice, Steve Swart.
He adds that at the very least an inquiry should first have been done to see if there was a breakdown in the relationship and to see if there wasn’t some way of resolving the matter.
“We believe that the suspension will no doubt affect the morale in the prosecuting authority, which we as South Africans can ill afford in view of the very high crime rate in our country and the very crucial role that prosecutors play in fighting crime,” says Swart.
The ACDP will therefore call upon the parliamentary justice portfolio committee to urgently convene, and to receive a full briefing of what is the reason for this sudden suspension and what the background to this whole situation is.
25 September 2007
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has expressed their shock at the recent suspension of National Director of Public Prosecutions, Vusi Pikoli by President Thabo Mbeki. The suspension is allegedly due to the breakdown in Pikoli’s working relationship with Minister of Justice, Brigitte Mabandla.
“We could understand if the suspension related to incompetence, incapacity or corruption. This is a very drastic step.” says ACDP spokesperson on Justice, Steve Swart.
He adds that at the very least an inquiry should first have been done to see if there was a breakdown in the relationship and to see if there wasn’t some way of resolving the matter.
“We believe that the suspension will no doubt affect the morale in the prosecuting authority, which we as South Africans can ill afford in view of the very high crime rate in our country and the very crucial role that prosecutors play in fighting crime,” says Swart.
The ACDP will therefore call upon the parliamentary justice portfolio committee to urgently convene, and to receive a full briefing of what is the reason for this sudden suspension and what the background to this whole situation is.
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