Suspension of NPA duo hailed

MRWEBI, JIBA: FITNESS FOR OFFICE INQUIRY LOOMS

With a cloud over them, they cannot remain in such critical jobs – president.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to suspend deputy director of public prosecutions Nomgcobo Jiba and special director Lawrence Mrwebi by instituting an inquiry into their fitness to hold office is a step in the right direction to stabilise the NPA, a constitutional law expert says.

According to Pierre de Vos, Ramaphosa emphasised that “you cannot have two people holding senior positions in the National Prosecuting Authority [NPA] with a cloud hanging over them”.

De Vos added: “Because there have been several court judgments on Jiba and Mrwebi, we will have to see what comes out of the inquiry.”

Jiba and Mrwebi were afforded an opportunity to make submissions in August on why they should not be suspended, pending the inquiry.

The inquiry will be led by Justice Yvonne Mokgoro, assisted by senior counsel Kgomotso Moroka and attorney Thenjiwe Vilakazi. The evidence-leading team led by senior counsel Nazreen Bawa will develop the terms of reference.

In letters sent to the pair, the president said: “I have taken into account the serious nature of the allegations that you are unfit to be in so high an office.

“The work of our criminal justice system is central to the critical and pressing matter of all prosecutions, especially prosecution of corruption cases, safeguarding of our public purse.

“You hold senior positions with influence over a large swathe of the NPA.

“It is in the interest of the NPA’s image that I consider the integrity of an inquiry that must result in the clearest and most convincing conclusions about the sound leadership of the NPA.”

According to the Presidency, the inquiry will be an internal process. –