Inquiries into NPA

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa informed deputy national director of public prosecutions Advocate Nomgcobo Jiba and special director of public prosecutions Advocate Lawrence Mrwebi of his intention to institute inquiries into their fitness to hold office.

The inquiries will be established in terms of section 12(6) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act.

Ramaphosa has invited advocates Jiba and Mrwebi to make submissions by August 10 as to why they should not be suspended pending this inquiry.

In a letter to Jiba and Mrwebi, Ramaphosa said: “I cannot underscore the importance of the public’s trust in the National Prosecuting Authority and its most senior management. It is central to the proper administration of justice.

“Doubt about the fitness and integrity of any one in so senior a position as you hold jeopardises this trust and the ability of the National Prosecuting Authority as a whole

“The allegations made in these various judgments have been in the public domain for many years now, and despite the litigation at issue not reaching conclusion the pronouncements by these various members of the judiciary have negatively tainted the image of the National Prosecuting Authority and will continue to do so until fully ventilated and addressed.”