PH
The DA would on Tuesday file an application to get access to the record of the decision that led to charges against deputy National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss Nomgcobo Jiba being withdrawn.
“This decision is questionable given the slew of prima facie evidence against her and her destructive track record at the NPA,” DA MPGlynnis Breytenbach said in a statement.
“This is confirmation President Jacob Zumadispensed of Mxolisi Nxasana to install a man who has been given a Menzi Simelane-esque mandate to protect [him] and his long-standing ally in the NPA, Ms Jiba.”
She said the opposition party was filing an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act.
Earlier on Tuesday, National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shaun Abrahamsannounced charges of perjury and fraud against Jiba would be withdrawn in the Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria.
“Late yesterday [Monday] I received a decision from the regional head in which he declined to prosecute Advocate Jiba,” Abrahams told reporters in Pretoria on Tuesday.
“I have been assured this decision is rational and sound in law and there are no reasonable prospects for successful prosecution and as such, the matter will be withdrawn in court tomorrow [Wednesday].”
Jiba was due to appear in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday. The charges related to her decision to prosecute Johan Booysen, the head of the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal, on racketeering charges.
Breytenbach claimed Abrahams’ attempt to avoid accountability on the issue was an “indication of his true colours”.
“As NDPP he must apply his own mind to all decisions and, having done so, he makes it his own.
“Such poor decision-making so early in his tenure is truly disappointing,” she said.
Freedom Under Law also wanted to be furnished with the reasons for the withdrawal of the charges.
“The charges against her flow from findings of dishonesty against her by judges,” it said in a statement.
“This decision could have a material bearing on cases that have been brought by Corruption Watch and Freedom Under Law… Once these reasons have been received, we shall review the situation.”
