DA says Zuma stalling on NPA probe

President Jacob Zuma wraps up his election campaign for the ANC at the Editors Breakfast at the Emoyeni Conference Center in Johannesburg. 050514. Picture: Chris Collingridge 018

President Jacob Zuma wraps up his election campaign for the ANC at the Editors Breakfast at the Emoyeni Conference Center in Johannesburg. 050514. Picture: Chris Collingridge 018

Published Jul 15, 2014

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Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma needs to announce the terms of reference for the investigation of National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head Mxolisi Nxasana, the DA said on Tuesday.

“President Jacob Zuma needs to act fast to uphold the rule of law and the integrity of the NPA. We must protect this key criminal justice institution at all costs,” Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane said in a statement.

“It has been 11 days since President Zuma announced the investigation, yet today South Africa is no closer to understanding the nature of this investigation.”

Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj said the terms of reference would be communicated as soon as Zuma made them available.

Last week, the presidency announced Zuma had ordered an inquiry into Nxasana's fitness to hold office. It said the decision to institute the inquiry was made in terms of the NPA Act.

It emerged last month that former justice minister Jeff Radebe had reportedly asked Nxasana to resign because he had failed to disclose that he had been charged with murder and acquitted in 1985.

Maimane said the inquiry should investigate why Nxasana's deputy, Nomgcobo Jiba, and head of the specialised commercial crimes unit, Lawrence Mrwebi, were still on duty.

“Jiba and Mrwebi were both discredited by the Supreme Court of Appeal for their handling of the Mdluli case. Jiba was the acting head of (National Directorate for Public Prosecutions) at the time,” he said. - Sapa

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