Pretoria - The South African Police Service (SAPS) says it has not issued summons against the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Deputy Head Advocate Nomgcobo Jiba.
“The SAPS is not looking for Advocate Jiba and has not issued a summons for her to appear in court,” SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale said.
The SAPS said it had noted various media reports regarding a summons issued against Jiba and that she was close to being arrested. According to the media reports, this was announced by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
“Nothing can be further from the truth,” said Makgale.
Makgale said the NPA, who are also complainants in the matter, jumped the gun when they issued a summons against Jiba.
He explained that the issuing of the summons was not done in consultation with the SAPS’s investigating officer who works at the office of Lieutenant General Vinesh Moonoo, the Divisional Commissioner of the Detective Service.
Usually, the investigating officer would consult with a prosecutor before such a decision can be taken.
In this case, Makgale said, the investigation is not yet ready to be put before the Directorate for Public Prosecutions for a decision to be taken on whether or not they should prosecute, nor to issue a summons for any person to appear before a court of law to answer to any charge.
“As the SAPS, we are going to engage the NPA soon to inform them of our state of readiness with regard to this case and that when we are ready, we will approach them for a decision on this matter.”
Makgale also went on to dismiss reports alleging that the National Commissioner General Riah Phiyega intimidated the investigating officers or interfered with the investigation.
“These allegations are not true either. The National Commissioner never spoke to the investigating officers about this matter.”
According to Makgale, the reports are based on a statement issued by DA member of Parliament Glynnis Breytenbach, whom Makgale says also has a vested interest in the matter, because the NPA has requested the SAPS to conduct a criminal investigation into a separate matter against her. – SAnews.gov.za
