NPA 'lets witness run hearing'
Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach arrives at Labour court in Braamfontein to fight her suspension. Photo: Bongiwe Mchunu Advocate Glynnis Breytenbach arrives at Labour court in Braamfontein to fight her suspension. Photo: Bongiwe Mchunu
Pretoria - The chairman in Glynnis Breytenbach's disciplinary inquiry recused himself on Friday after accusing the NPA of letting a witness run its case.
“I'm convinced that this application... it comes from Mr Mendelow,” chairman Sandile July said.
“I have never heard a situation where a complainant would be in charge of a hearing, telling the employer how the hearing should go.”
He was referring to Ronald Mendelow, the lawyer for Imperial Crown Trading (ICT), who testified from Tuesday to Thursday.
On Thursday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it would apply for the removal of July.
July said he would recuse himself.
A new chairman would be appointed soon, the NPA's counsel William Mokhari said.
July was the hearing's second chairman. The first chairman, Barry Madolo, also recused himself.
Breytenbach was suspended as regional head of the NPA's specialised commercial crime unit on April 30.
She has argued that acting National Director of Public Prosecutions Nomgcobo Jiba suspended her in an attempt to stop her from prosecuting former police crime intelligence boss Richard Mdluli on fraud and other charges.
Breytenbach has pleaded not guilty to all 16 charges laid against her by the NPA. - Sapa