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Former National Assembly Speaker Frene Ginwala
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January 16, 2008, 18:30
The government has finally submitted a "partial" report to the Ginwala Commission of Inquiry into the suspension of Public Prosecutions boss, Vusi Pikoli.
This comes after it failed to meet yesterday's deadline, and requested an extension.
President Thabo Mbeki suspended Pikoli last September and appointed former National Assembly Speaker, Frene Ginwala, to head an inquiry into the matter. However, the request for yet another extension raised eyebrows. Ginwala reluctantly agreed to it.
From day one the commission battled to get off the ground, mostly frustrated by the Justice Department's slow response.
The department made its initial submission in October last year. A week later Pikoli's attorneys requested clarification. At the end of that month, the commission told the Justice Minister the submission had not been signed and asked whether additions would be made.
Having received no response, letters were again sent on November 1 and 7. On December 18, the commission requested more details on certain issues in the original submission. Yesterday, the department asked for another extension.
The commission granted one until next Friday, only to be surprised by the department’s submission today. But the commission is still dissatisfied.
In a letter to the commission, Pikoli's legal team objected to the delays.
The commission is probing Pikoli's fitness to hold office, and the breakdown of the working relationship with Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Brigitte Mabandla.
Following confirmation that the National Prosecuting Authority would be charging the National Police Commissioner, there had been calls for the commission to be suspended on the basis that Pikoli had been vindicated.
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