Pikoli 'in the dark' over report
2008-11-07 10:43
Johannesburg - Suspended National Prosecuting Authority boss Vusi Pikoli is "in the dark" over media reports that his name may be cleared by the Ginwala commission, his lawyer said on Friday.
"Both my client and I are currently in the dark. We have received no information from Ginwala or the president's office," said Aslam Moosajee, referring to former parliamentary speaker Frene Ginwala, who headed an inquiry into whether Pikoli was fit to hold office.
He said requests for a copy of the report had fallen on deaf ears.
"It is quite frustrating for us and Mr Pikoli is understandably anxious," said Moosajee.
Both the weekly Mail and Guardian newspaper and The Star daily reported on Friday, quoting unnamed sources, that the commission's report was "hugely favourable" to Pikoli.
He was suspended by former president Thabo Mbeki more than a year ago, who cited a breakdown in the relationship between Pikoli and former justice minister Brigitte Mabandla.
However, Pikoli told the commission that his suspension was related to the NPA's decision to arrest suspended police chief Jackie Selebi on corruption charges.
Since then, Mbeki has been removed from office by the national executive committee of the African National Congress and Mabandla was among a string of Cabinet ministers who resigned with him.
- SAPA