Noko should be suspended immediately

According to a City Press report yesterday, KwaZulu Natal Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Advocate Moipone Noko, was caught on camera dumping files related to the prosecution of Shawn Mpisane (see report).

In the light of this serious allegation, Adv Noko should be suspended immediately by the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Mxolisi Nxasana. 

We raised concerns on several occasions that Noko was put in that position for reasons other than her prosecutorial ability. Since she was appointed, she has:

withdrawn charges against KZN provincial legislature speaker Peggy Nkonyeni and Economic Development and Tourism MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu in the so-called "Amigos" matter, which is currently the subject of litigation by the DA;

refused to prosecute ANC members who violated the Regulation of Gatherings Act when the DA went to visit President Zuma's Nkandla home, alleging that the local traditional leader had given permission; and

"temporarily withdrawn" charges against businessmen Toshan Panday and Navin Madhoe in a different matter, after she had said that there was a prima facie case, but that she was withdrawing the charges "in the interests of justice". Panday is reportedly politically connected with the President's family.

We will submit parliamentary questions to the Minister of Justice, Jeff Radebe, at the first available opportunity regarding the progress of the internal investigation against her.

Adv Noko must be suspended. It is undermining the credibility of the justice system in KwaZulu Natal if she is left to continue in the most senior office in the province making crucial decisions while this matter is being investigated.

Statement issued by Debbie Schafer MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, February 10 2014

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