Media seeks access to Breytenbach hearing

2012-06-19 09:32

Glynnis Breytenbach (File)

Johannesburg - Media24 newspapers have lodged an application to attend the disciplinary hearing of suspended National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach, according to a report on Tuesday.

The hearing, set to start at the NPA's headquarters in Silverton, Pretoria on Tuesday, was closed to the media.

Media24 head of newspapers Tim du Plessis said in a report in Beeld newspaper that City Press, Beeld, Die Burger, Rapport and Volksblad had requested permission to attend, in the public interest.

If the request was denied, Media24 would consider "further urgent steps" in a bid to get access to the hearing, Du Plessis said.

Suspension

Breytenbach, the NPA's regional head for the specialised commercial crime unit, was suspended in May for her conduct in handling one of the cases allocated to her.

She is accused of abusing her power in a probe into a fraud charge laid by iron ore mining company Kumba against Imperial Crown Trading (ICT), and of not following orders to stop the investigation.

The NPA rejected media speculation that the hearing was related to dropped fraud and murder charges against former crime intelligence head Lieutenant General Richard Mdluli.

Breytenbach argued in court documents submitted to the Labour Court in Johannesburg that the NPA had "ulterior motives" when it suspended her, Beeld earlier reported.

The NPA contended that Breytenbach knew her suspension was related to her alleged abuse of power in the Kumba/ICT case. She had allegedly tarnished the NPA's image and good name.

The NPA said the relationship between Breytenbach and her employer had irreparably broken down, an offence for which she may be dismissed if found guilty, Beeld reported.

- SAPA