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Poison letter: NPA taking steps
10/03/2008 21:13 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The National Prosecuting Authority will "revisit" its mail-handling processes after five staff became ill after handling a letter delivered to the office of its acting head, Mokotedi Mpshe.
NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said on Monday: "We have launched an internal investigation aimed at revisiting internal processes in terms of handling correspondence, to see if it is a compliance problem or if there are witnesses internally."
Mpshe was not affected, but five people had to be treated for headaches and rashes when the letter was handled at the NPA's Silverton offices on Thursday. That section of the building had to be closed.
They were back at work on Monday and were being monitored for further symptoms.
"They are okay", said Tlali.
Initial tests had ruled out chemical warfare agents and a further comprehensive report would examine other possibilities.
"The letter and its origins are the subject of an investigation," he said.
Tlali did not want to comment on whether security arrangements had been stepped up for Mpshe - standing in for Vusi Pikoli who was suspended pending an investigation into his fitness for office and a breakdown of relations with Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla.
Tlali said on Monday Mpshe was not "exposed" to the letter and that only Mpshe's office had been quarantined.
Earlier, the Pretoria News reported that the letter "may have been laced with the same deadly nerve poison that almost killed the Rev Frank Chikane 20 years ago".
The newspaper quoted forensic expert Dr David Klatzow of Cape Town as concluding that an organophosphate was the lethal chemical employed.
However, on Monday afternoon Tlali said: "No traces of extremely hazardous substances were found and the office was decontaminated."
'Not to do with present cases'
He said: "On the face of it, the contents of the letter seem to suggest that it is from a whistleblower, as it alleges negative conduct by an NPA employee.
"Speculation that the letter has anything to do with any of the high-profile cases being handled by the NPA, including the DSO (Scorpions), seems to have no factual basis."
The NPA was prosecuting a major drugs case, expected to include testimony from Glenn Agliotti, accused of murdering mining entrepreneur Brett Kebble.
It also was involved in the prosecution of African National Congress president Jacob Zuma and National Commissioner of Police Jackie Selebi.
Tlali said: "It is only once all tests and investigations are concluded that we could speak on facts."
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