Suspension of Pikoli
On 24 September 2007 President Thabo Mbeki suspended Pikoli in terms of Section 12 (6) (a) of the National Prosecution Act 32 of 1998, saying: "This decision was taken on the basis of an irretrievable break down in the working relationship between the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and the NDPP."
On 27 September 2007 the South African Broadcasting Corporation claimed that a warrant was issued on 10 September by the NPA for the arrest of the head of the South African Police and Interpol, Jackie Selebi. According to SABC the warrant was secured by Pikoli, before Pikoli was suspended by the country's President Mbeki. President Mbeki suspended NPA Head Vusi Pikoli, allegedly because of "an irretrievable breakdown" in the relationship between Pikoli and Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla. However, journalists at the Mail and Guardian claim to have solid information supporting the widespread suspicion that President Mbeki suspended Pikoli as part of a bid to shield Police Commissioner Selebi.
The leader of South Africa’s opposition Democratic Alliance party Helen Zille, said that the suspension of Pikoli was a "serious development" that needed further explanation: "The country needs to know why Pikoli has been suspended." Human Sciences Research Council political commentator Adam Habib said:
| “ | If the president suspended Mr Pikoli on the grounds that he had issued a warrant for the commissioner's arrest, then it suggests that an invasion is being made into an independent institution's operations. Intervening in the operations of the National Prosecuting Authority constitutes a violation of our Constitution. | ” |
Read more about this topic: National Prosecuting Authority
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