Jiba to defend position

LAWYERS for suspended deputy national director for public prosecutions Nomgcobo Jiba are due to write to President Jacob Zuma today on why she should not be suspended pending an inquiry into her fitness to hold office.

Jiba and suspended head of Special Commercial Crimes Unit advocate Lawrence Mrwebi were placed on special leave a few weeks ago after the Pretoria High Court struck them off the roll of advocates.

The positions they hold require they be admitted advocates of the high court.

Zuma told Jiba and Mrwebi last week they have to write to him with reasons for not being suspended pending the outcome of an inquiry.

The two NPA advocates were taken to the high court by the General Council of the Bar after they dropped charges against former police spy boss Richard Mdluli.

Mdluli has been in and out of court over the last five years following a string of charges and accusations relating to his position and previous jobs.

Jiba has been at odds with opposition parties in Parliament, who accused her of doing Zuma’s bidding. They have been calling for her head for the last few years. Former NPA chief Mxolisi Nxasana said in September he welcomed the decision of the high court in striking off Jiba from the roll of advocates.

It is not clear yet which reasons Jiba’s team would advance to Zuma today.

But Zuma said he would apply his mind once the two prosecutors made representations to him on why they should not be suspended.

The president is entitled in terms of the law to institute an inquiry against the head of the NPA or senior officials in some of the agencies of the state and ministers.