Pretoria – The Department of Social Development is seeking legal opinion on the matter of the probation officer employed by the State, Annette Vergeer, who also offered private services to the defence team in the recently ended Oscar Pistorius case.
Vergeer was approached by Pistorius’s defence team to render services to them in her private capacity.
In line with the provisions of the Public Service Act, Vergeer applied to the accounting officer of the Gauteng Department of Social Development to render private services while still working for the department.
However, her application had not been granted pending more information from Vergeer.
“The department is therefore considering disciplinary action and seeking legal opinion on what seems to be a conflict of interest.
“The State’s decision going forward on this matter will be communicated in due course,” said the department.
Pistorius was sentenced to five years in prison for the death of his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp. He was found guilty of culpable homicide. – SAnews.gov.za
