Johannesburg - Allegations made by former NPA head Vusi Pikoli are direct proof that the justice system is being abused for political purposes, the DA said on Monday.
“The fact that he has been prepared to make such statements publicly is to be welcomed. However it is concerning that he is not prepared to name the individuals involved,” Democratic Alliance MP Debbie Schafer said in a statement.
City Press on Sunday reported that in his book Pikoli alleged he was approached by a number of people about dropping corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma.
Pikoli reportedly wrote that “those in the Zuma camp said, ‘Look man, if you can just give us a guarantee that on reinstatement you will not bring charges against the man, then the matter is straightforward'.
“They said that even if (the Ginwala Inquiry) were to recommend I be fired and the matter went to Parliament, they would simply instruct MPs not to follow the recommendation.”
Pikoli revealed that the people who approached him included provincial African National Congress leaders, a KwaZulu-Natal businessman and a member of the Johannesburg Bar, who approached his adviser Kalyani Pillay.
Schafer said it was vital that the member of the Johannesburg Bar be identified.
“He or she could potentially stand as a judge or other position requiring the utmost integrity in future, or could already be in such a position.
“This is clearly untenable for the credibility of our justice system,” she said.
The DA would consult with its attorneys regarding the latest evidence to support its claim that the decision to drop the charges against Zuma was politically motivated.
The party would also continue its efforts to get access to the so-called spy tapes and other documents relating to the corruption case.
The tapes, and transcripts and other documents, relate to the 2009 National Prosecuting Authority's decision to drop corruption charges against Zuma.
Last month, Zuma was granted leave to appeal by the High Court in Johannesburg against the order to release the tapes.
Sapa