Breytenbach disciplinary hearing continues

The disciplinary hearing of suspended NPA prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach is scheduled to continue in Silverton, Pretoria, on Monday.

 

Breytenbach is accused of failing to act impartially in her investigation of a dispute between Imperial Crown Trading and Sishen/Kumba Iron Ore over mining rights in the Northern Cape. It was also claimed she was too close to criminal lawyer Mike Hellens. During the last hearing meeting on March 5, former national deputy director of public prosecutions Jan D’Oliveira said a prosecutor was entitled to seek the legal assistance of an outside counsel. 

 

Breytenbach said Hellens had been asked for help with drafting search warrants in the case, because of his expertise. Breytenbach was suspended from her job as head of the National Prosecuting Authority's regional specialised commercial crime unit at the end of April 2012. She argues she was suspended for not wanting fraud charges against controversial former crime intelligence head Lt-Gen Richard Mdluli withdrawn.

 

In March a parallel arbitration hearing at the Public Service Bargaining Council found Breytenbach's suspension was both procedurally and substantively fair. Her lawyer Gerhard Wagenaar said they would consider whether to take the arbitration hearing decision on review or appeal.

 

-Sapa