Ngcuka 'deserves mild rebuke'
2004-06-21 21:52
Cape Town - There is a need for parliament to express dissatisfaction with the way chief prosecutor Bulelani Ngcuka handled an investigation against deputy president Jacob Zuma, a committee agreed on Monday.
"There is a need for a mild rebuke," said the ANC's Ismail Vadi, who heads the parliamentary ad hoc committee.
The committee is considering public protector Lawrence Mushwana's report on the matter.
Mushwana recommended in the report that Ngcuka, who heads the national prosecutions authority, be held accountable by parliament.
The document, presented to parliament on May 28, found it had been "unfair and improper" for Ngcuka to have said publicly there was a prima facie case of corruption against Zuma, but that Zuma would not be prosecuted.
Will be tabled on Friday
Mushwana said the public statement by Ngcuka had impaired Zuma's dignity and improperly prejudiced him.
The committee will go through a draft of its report on Tuesday. It will be tabled in the national assembly on Friday.
The draft report will include the background on the saga and the recommendations made by Mushwana on how the matter should be handled.
"We are noting the recommendations... not expressing a clear view on his recommendations," Vadi said.
The committee's own recommendations, which includes the national assembly expressing its disapproval, will form part of the report.
- SAPA