Trial date soon for man who withdrew Mdluli charges

Lawrence Mrwebi (55), the suspended head of the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit (SCCU) of the NPA, appeared briefly in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court yesterday on charges of defeating the ends of justice. The case was postponed to 12 January for a trial date to be set. Mrwebi is accused of withdrawing the charges against Mdluli, who was arrested in 2011, even though there was a strong case against him. According to the charge sheet, Mrwebi received representations from Mdluli's lawyers in November 2011, seeking withdrawal of the fraud and corruption charges. He sent it to former regional SCCU head Glynnis Breytenbach and asked her for a report. In December that year, Mrwebi allegedly instructed Breytenbach to withdraw the charges against Mdluli. Mrwebi had allegedly based his decision on the premise that the NPA and the police had no powers to investigate or prosecute Mdluli, but that the power lay with the Inspector-General of Intelligence. Despite a letter from the inspector-general to the contrary, Mrwebi is alleged to have steadfastly stood by his decision, notes the report. A Beeld report notes the Mrwebi is also accused of interfering with the prosecution of Colonel Heine Barnard despite prosecutors' opinion that there was a 'strong prima facie case' against him, He is also accused of interfering with the prosecution of a friend, Terrence Joubert. Full report in The Herald (subscription needed) Full Beeld report

Meanwhile, NPA head Mxolisi Nxasana is 'working very hard' to repair public confidence in the directorate. He reportedly made this clear in an interview with Beeld. Nxasana told the newspaper he didn't know when the inquiry into his fitness to hold office would commence or what it would entail. But, he said, he believes the NPA has done a sterling job in 2014. 'The prosecuting authority had a clean audit for the second consecutive year. ... I ask the public to have confidence in the NPA. My aim is to repair the image of the NPA. I think we are on track, but I realise people's perceptions are perpetuated by the pending investigation against me.' Nxasana said he accepted the pending investigation and had nothing to hide. Full Beeld report