NPA – Breytenbach 2016

The NPA boss Shaun Abrahams has clashed with Members of Parliament (MPs) at Parliament.

Abrahams is presenting the National Prosecuting Authority’s annual report to the National Assembly’s justice oversight committee.

But before he began, Abrahams insisted that Democratic Alliance MP Glynnis Breytenbach recuse herself.

Abrahams has told MPs that the case against Breytenbach meant she should not be present in the committee meeting.

Committee chairperson Mathole Motshekga asked Breytenbach what her conscience dictated that she should do.

“I’m astonished the national director conveyed an issue like that. In this country we have a Constitution. Fortunately, one is innocent until proven guilty and I’m going nowhere.”

Breytenbach and her former lawyer Gerhard Wagenaar are on trial on charges of contravening the NPA Act and two of defeating the ends of justice, while Breytenbach faces two additional charges of fraud and perjury.

African Christian Democratic Party MP Steve Swart told the committee that Breytenbach had no conflict of interest in being present as long her case was not discussed.