The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Tuesday postponed the disciplinary hearing of suspended prosecutor Glynnis Breytenbach.
Lawyers for Media24 argued that the hearing should be open to the media, as it was no ordinary hearing, said City Press assistant editor Adriaan Basson.
“The NPA is a public institution and this is a very senior prosecutor who has made a name for herself in prosecuting powerful individuals in business and in government,” he said.
Breytenbach was accused of abusing her power while investigating a case concerning mining giant Kumba.
She submits, in papers before the Labour Court, that she was suspended because she insisted on investigating fraud and corruption charges against suspended former police intelligence head Richard Mdluli.
Both matters, emphasised Basson, were of interest to the public.
If what Breytenbach alleged were true, it was a “very serious indictment” of the NPA.
However, if the NPA was correct in its case against her, it was also a serious matter.
Advocate Wim Trengove, acting for Breytenbach, said his client supported Media24's application.
“Open justice is a good thing,” he said.
Breytenbach had been disappointed by the postponement, he said.
“She wants the hearing to be done and completed as quickly as possible,” he said. – Sapa