Breytenbach "redeployment" demands an explanation

It appears that the NPA will stop at nothing to ensure that Glynnis Breytenbach is prevented from continuing to prosecute high profile cases as regional head of the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit (see report).

In the recently finalised disciplinary hearing against Breytenbach, the NPA could not secure a finding of guilty on even one of the 15 charges levelled against her, and that with the lesser onus of balance of probabilities. If media reports are correct, she is to be moved to the DPP in Pretoria, reporting to the very person who testified against her in the hearing, Advocate Sibongile Mzinyathi.

Whilst we are not privy to the reasons for this move, it most certainly demands an explanation. If there was insufficient evidence to find her guilty of the charges she was facing, for what possible reason would she have been moved?

Unless and until we receive an alternative, satisfactory explanation, we remain deeply suspicious.

It is common knowledge that Breytenbach was busy with some very high profile cases, and that she was intent on continuing with the prosecution of Richard Mdluli. By moving her, she will clearly not be in a position to do so.

I shall write to the Chairperson of the Justice Portfolio Committee, Luwellyn Landers, and request that he ask the NPA to come to a meeting of the committee to explain the reasons for this move. The credibility of the NPA demands that answers be given in a public forum. 

Statement issued by Debbie Schafer MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, June 14 2013

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