Pretoria -
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will apply to have the chairman of Glynnis Breytenbach's disciplinary inquiry removed, its lawyer said on Thursday.
“There will be an application that will be brought for the appointment of a new chairperson,” William Makhari told the hearing in Pretoria.
He did not say why the NPA wanted Sandile July removed on the ninth day of the hearing.
Breytenbach's counsel Wim Trengove SC objected.
“I can confirm that we will oppose the application,” he said.
The NPA's legal team would make the application on Friday.
July was appointed as chairman after Barry Madolo recused himself. Madolo had granted permission for access to the hearing by the print media, but the NPA later said he had no authority to make the decision.
The High Court in Pretoria later ruled that the media be allowed to attend the hearing.
Ronald Mendelow, the lawyer for Imperial Crown Trading (ICT), continued giving evidence at the NPA offices in Silverton on Thursday.
The NPA has said it suspended Breytenbach for failing to act impartially in her investigation of a dispute between ICT and Sishen/Kumba Iron Ore over mineral rights.
Mendelow sent a letter of complaint about Breytenbach to the then National Director of Public Prosecutions, Menzi Simelane, on October 31 last year, alleging she favoured Sishen in her probe.
Breytenbach was suspended as regional head of the NPA's specialised commercial crime unit on April 30 this year.
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 16 charges brought against her by the NPA.
The hearing continues. - Sapa