It has come to our attention that attempts are under way to publish contents of a six year old report of the inquest into the death of Ms Kate Zuma, the deceased wife of the Deputy President of the ruling party. Our assessment is that this is the work of peddlers who were linked to the “Browser report’ who are desperately trying to implicate, discredit and cast aspersions on government institutions.
The accused, Mr Billy Lesedi Masetlha, (hereinafter also referred to as "the accused") was charged on 20 October 2006 with contravening the provisions of Sections 7 (8) (a) and 7 (9) read with Section 7A of the Intelligence Services Oversight Act, 40 of 1994, (hereinafter referred to as the Oversight Act) for withholding information.
The Terms of Reference for the Enquiry into the fitness of Adv. Vusumuzi Pikoli to hold the office of National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) have been formulated by the President and are now in the public domain.
President Thabo Mbeki has approved the Terms of Reference for the enquiry into Adv Vusumzi Pikoli's fitness to hold the office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). As stated previously, this enquiry is established in terms of Section 12 (6) (a) of the National Prosecuting Authority 32 of 1998.
Following media reports regarding the suspension of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Government would like to re-iterate its statement issued on September 24 that the decision to suspend the NDPP was taken on the basis of a breakdown in the working relationship between the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development.
President Thabo Mbeki has with immediate effect suspended the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Vusi Pikoli, in terms of section 12 (6) (a) of the National Prosecution Act 32 of 1988. This decision was taken on the basis of an irretrievable break down in the working relationship between the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and the NDPP.
Government and the South African National Editor’s Forum (SANEF) met today in Tuynhuys, Cape Town, to discuss two key issues.
The Government delegation was led by Minister in the Presidency, Dr. Essop Pahad, who was accompanied by the Ministers of Public Enterprises, Safety and Security, Justice and Constitutional Development, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, the Director General in the Presidency, CEO of GCIS, Head of Policy in the Presidency and other officials.
During the media briefing by Ms Nozizwe Madlala-Routlege, the former Deputy Minister of Health, an impression was created that Minister Jeff Radebe had called her to express his support after she was relieved of her duties, and that the Deputy Ministers of Defence and of Arts and Culture had invited her to visit the Frere Hospital in the Eastern Cape.
Following media reports regarding the dismissal of Ms Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, the former Deputy Minister of Health, the President has decided to publish the contents of the letter he wrote to her, in an effort to prevent further speculation and misrepresentations of facts.
Dear Deputy Minister,
Following the President's decision to relieve Ms Nozizwe Madlala-Routlidge from her duties as Deputy Minister of Health, and the subsequent media reports implying that government policy and programmes on HIV/AIDS were at risk, government wishes to clarify the position as follows:
