‘Deep resentment’ in NPA that ‘young black African’ promoted – Jiba

At the commission of inquiry into the fitness of two senior NPA prosecutors to hold office yesterday, one of them, advocate Nomgcobo Jiba, said some NPA colleagues didn’t welcome her promotion to deputy NDPP.

She said that within the agency there was “deep resentment that a young black African had been promoted to this leadership position”.

“When I became a prosecutor in 1988, like most South African and African girls, I never dreamt that one day I would serve my country and society as a deputy national director of public prosecutions,” said Jiba. “I am very passionate about being a prosecutor. Society would collapse into chaos without this group of dedicated prosecutors.”

Jiba said her promotion had not been welcomed by “all within the NPA” and she had been shocked to learn at the inquiry that colleagues and “committed patriots” did not consider her to be qualified to lead the NPA.

“The testimony of advocate [Glynnis] Breytenbach and Mr [Willie] Hofmeyr in particular revealed a deep resentment that a young black African had been promoted to this leadership position,” Jiba said.

“I do not believe that Mr Hofmeyr was ready to report to an African woman in the NPA.

“I could forgive him because our society has been deeply patriarchal and old habits die hard.

“What was a surprise to me was the depth of resentment he felt about my promotion.”

Jiba said she was “deeply offended” that Hofmeyr had the “temerity” to accuse her of playing political games without “a shred” of evidence.

There were a number of controversial incidents under Jiba’s leadership. The charging of KwaZulu-Natal Hawks head Johan Booysen for alleged racketeering was one of the biggest. Jiba was later charged with fraud and perjury for this.

“There was nothing unlawful about the decision I made in issuing the authorisation to prosecute General [Johan] Booysen and others,” Jiba said. “When you deal with a prosecution in terms of section 2 (1) (e) and section 2 (1) (f) of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca), your focus is not necessarily on the general standards of charging, of saying accused number one is charged with murder, accused number two is charged with murder or assault or rape .”

She denied Bosasa whistleblower Angelo Agrizzi’s allegations that she had taken bribes from him.

– amandaw@citizen.coza

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.