Pretoria – Democratic Alliance MP Glynnis Breytenbach on Friday welcomed the announcement of her trial date, together with her former lawyer Gerhard Wagenaar, saying the National Prosecuting Authority must “bring it on”.
“I am extremely confident. They must get it done. It (the case) is irritating, time-consuming and it’s mildly an inconvenience. Let’s get it over with. Bring it on,” Breytenbach told reporters after an appearance in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.
Regarding the charges of obstruction and defeating the ends of justice, perjury and fraud against her, the former senior prosecutor and head of the NPA’s Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit said the case against her was flimsy.
“I’m a lawyer and I’ve read the docket myself. I know what a case is and what a case isn’t. Believe me, I did it for 26 years,” she said.
Asked by a journalist if the case had cast a shadow on her political career, Breytenbach responded: “Not at all. Have you noticed that it has cast a shadow on my political career? My party supports me. They are not suspending me. They haven’t asked me to relinquish any of my posts.
“It has not cast any shadow on my political career. It shouldn’t, because I’m not guilty. In South Africa, fortunately, you’re not guilty until you are proven guilty,” said Breytenbach.
Earlier, in a brief appearance before magistrate Kallie Bosch, Breytenbach and Wagenaar were notified that their case would be heard in the Pretoria North Regional Court on July 18.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Luvuyo Mfaku said the transfer of the case to Pretoria north was “nothing sinister”, but was about the availability of the courts.
He said the State had a strong case to present.
“We do not take any matter to court if we doubt our prospects of success,” Mfaku told reporters at the court.
“During the last appearance we provided the defence with the copies of the docket. That signifies that we are ready to proceed. Now the date has been arranged between the State and the defence. We are ready to proceed.”
Last month, two more charges of perjury and fraud were added to the charges of obstruction and defeating the ends of justice when Breytenbach and Wagenaar appeared.
Breytenbach was officially charged in February after she handed herself over at the Pretoria central police station.
The charges against the duo relate to an investigation dating back to 2012 when Breytenbach was still employed by the NPA.
The prosecuting authority claims Breytenbach wiped clean her laptop and shredded documents relevant to the internal investigation she was facing. She was later cleared of some 15 charges.
The DA believes the criminal charges are politically motivated. Breytenbach and Wagenaar are out on R10 000 bail each.
African News Agency