Pikoli case will come to a head in court tomorrow

Pikoli's case is underway with high profile witnesses taking the stand

Senior South African government and security officials take the stand as witnesses tomorrow against suspended National Director of Public Prosecutions, Vusi Pikoli, who was dismissed by President Thabo Mbeki last year.

As far as the head of the enquiry Dr Frene Ginwala is concerned, every effort will be made that all the proceedings take place in public and they will deal with in-camera requests as it arises.

Government's attorneys contend that making Pikoli's submission public would jeopardise a ruling on in-camera hearings. It had indicated its intention to apply for certain parts of its submission to be held in-camera.

Ginwala says: “The parties concerned can make their submissions public but they got to consider the implications if they put things in public, for example if there are documents relevant to a trial and if they put that in the domain before the trial then you going to jeopardise that proceeding.”

Poor working relationship with Minister
Pikoli was suspended in September 2007 by President Thabo Mbeki after explaining that the breakdown in the working relationship between himself (Pikoli) and Justice Minister Bridgette Mbandla made for an unhealthy working environment.

Pikoli has rubbished the claims and insists he was removed because of his and the Scorpions refusal to end their probe into alleged corruption by National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi.

The case set to be held at the Johannesburg Council Chamber tomorrow where both parties have submitted substantial lists of witnesses to support their respective arguments.

The list of witnesses to go against Pikoli include very senior Government officials, among them Johnny de Lange, Deputy Minister of Justice, Reverend Frank Chikane, Director General in the Presidency.

Government will be the first to present its case at the hearing.