Pikoli hearing held in camera
2008-07-01 16:06
Johannesburg - The hearing into Vusi Pikoli's fitness to hold office was held in camera on Tuesday afternoon to discuss matters that may have a bearing on national intelligence.
Only Pikoli's and the State's lawyers and the witnesses would be permitted to attend the hearing in inquiry chairperson Frene Ginwala's office.
The State has claimed that Pikoli and the Directorate of Special Operations became involved in intelligence matters they were not mandated to do. These included having contact with foreign intelligence services, it claimed.
In the afternoon session the inquiry heard further testimony from deputy National Intelligence Agency deputy director general Arthur Fraser who was "reflecting" a complaint that he did not receive full co-operation from the NPA during an investigation into the "Browse Mole Report".
He said he was upset that after Pikoli had asked former Scorpions boss Leonard McCarthy to co-operate with the other agencies conducting the investigation, he jetted off to watch the rugby World Cup.
"Subsequent to that briefing Mr McCarthy went to the World Cup whilst the president was waiting (for a report on Browse)."
- SAPA