Former deputy director of the NPA Nomgcobo Jiba appeared before the Mokgoro Commission of Inquiry on Thursday to give her testimony and to respond to allegations levelled against her.
According to EWN reporter Barry Bateman, Jiba told the commission that she views her appearance as an opportunity to finally have her say.
Bateman reports that Jiba said she kept quiet through the criticism in the media, following advice from her legal council.
Read: Mrwebi says he was victimised after he reported abuse of the so called C-funds'
She says she trusts people in the commission to judge her and to listen to her side and all the allegations made against her. She says she uses this opportunity to finally speak openly about the NPA.
— Barry Bateman, Senior reporter - EWN
Bateman says Jiba started her evidence with the prosecution of Gerrie Nel in the Jackie Selebi case back in 2007.
She says she was introduced to then head of Police Crime Intelligence Richard Mdluli by the head of the NPA integrity unit and a legitimate investigation was taking place at the time with which she had no reason not to corporate.
She said it was a normal thing she had to do and there was nothing untoward. She says she doesn't know Richard Mdluli beyond the fact that he was a policeman at the time, she has no relationship with him.
— Barry Bateman, Senior reporter - EWN
Bateman adds that Jiba testified on the Johan Booysen matter and the racketeering authorisation for which she is being criticised.
Jiba also took the commission through some of the blistering allegations made by her colleague at the time, Willie Hofmeyr, suggesting that patriarchy and racism played a role in his view of her.
She believes she acted correctly and the prosecution of the racketeering charges against Booysen were legitimate.
— Barry Bateman, Senior reporter - EWN
She says there was this resentment towards an African woman being put in a position of authority and somebody like Hofmeyr having to take orders from an African woman.
— Barry Bateman, Senior reporter - EWN
On the Johan Booysen matter, she says she couldn't believe how the tables had turned and the organisation turned its back on her and she was the one being prosecuted.
— Barry Bateman, Senior reporter - EWN
Bateman says the commission will conclude Jiba's testimony today and start on the cross-examination of Lawrence Mrwebi tomorrow and Jiba again on Monday.
To hear the rest of the conversation, listen below:
