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Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions Nomgcobo Jiba has always boasted of her influence and political connections.
That is what her colleague and fellow deputy director, Willie Hofmeyr, says about her in his affidavit served on the parties involved on Friday – in response to the DA’s court application to force President Jacob Zuma to institute an inquiry into her fitness to hold office.
Hofmeyr, the former head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), says in his affidavit that while she was acting director, “Jiba openly boasted about her close relationship with [then] minister of justice [Jeff Radebe], and how she could persuade him to do whatever was needed for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)”.
Hofmeyr also wrote that Jiba previously engaged “in activities that are in support of political groupings”, and, in the corruption trial of Jackie Selebi, “tried to assist those close to then President Thabo Mbeki”.
Hofmeyr also took a swipe at his boss, Shaun Abrahams, for having launched an “unwarranted and unfounded attack on my integrity in his affidavit”.
“Shortly after his assumption of office, he removed me from my position as head of the AFU, which I had occupied with success for many years. He made me head of the legal affairs division.
“He has [now] removed from my supervision all cases dealing with allegations of unethical conduct by Ms Jiba and other senior NPA officials, and has indicated that he or his personal adviser would deal with such cases,” reads the affidavit.
Hofmeyr’s affidavit was confirmed by former NPA head Mxolisi Nxasana. Radebe was alleged to have been instrumental in Nxasana’s departure from office.
Their submissions were in response to Abrahams’ affidavit, in which he alleges Hofmeyr plotted to bring down Jiba. In her affidavit, Jiba says she acted in good faith.
