Nomgcobo Jiba may have escaped prosecution yet again

Advocate Nomgcobo Jiba, the suspended deputy national director of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), is surely running out of cat lives. As reported by Eyewitness News, it would appear as if the pending fraud and perjury charges she had have been stricken off the roll.

Why is Nomgcobo Jiba facing fraud and perjury charges?

In 2016, AfriForum laid charges of fraud and perjury against Jiba on behalf of the former head of Kwa-Zulu Natal’s Hawks, General Johan Booysen.

Read – Mokgoro inquiry: How the NPA nursed high-profile international bribery cases

According to Booysen, Jiba acted unlawfully in constantly trying to interfere with his investigations into the conduct of Thoshan Panday, a company that, according to the Mail and Guardian, is closely linked with former president Jacob Zuma.

Moreover, the Mokgoro inquiry, on Thursday, heard evidence from Jiba’s legal representative, Advocate Zola Majavu, that he had been told by the North West’s director of public prosecutions that the case against her would be stricken off the roll.

North West refuses to prosecute Jiba

The case docket had been sent to North West for consideration but as we understand, the matter may not make it to court.

“Advocate [Sello] Maema informed that he is aware and was informed that a decision has been taken, he would locate the docket and attach a signed decision which would then be dispatched to me.

“As matters stand, I have not received the docket; he also informed me that a decision he knows was taken was one that says they decline to prosecute.” Majavu said.

Read – NPA suspensions: Why Nomgcobo Jiba and Lawrence Mrwebi are in trouble

Jiba, together with the suspended special director for public prosecutions, Lawrence Mrwebi, have been placed under the microscope by President Cyrl Ramaphosa.

The Mokgoro inquiry seeks to assess whether the two embattled NPA heads are fit to hold office.

A pending case against Jiba from state capture inquiry?

Jiba’s luck in evading prosecution with the rep sheet she has may come to a halt sooner than she thought. This comes after the former chief operations officer of Bosasa, Angelo Agrizzi, name dropped her in the list of high-ranking government officials who have accepted bribes from the security services company.

According to Agrizzi, Jiba was very much instrumental in ensuring that Bosasa, known now as African Global Operations, evaded prosecution.

Read – It’s the big one: Bosasa allegedly bribed Jacob Zuma with R300k a month

He linked her with a situation that once needed her attention. According to Agrizzi, it was when the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) were hot on their tail, looking into a shady tender.

Agrizzi stated that he looked no further than to his strongest link, Linda Mti, the former national commissioner of correctional services, to connect him with Jiba.

“He called Nomgcoba Jiba ‘Snake’ because she was very alert and poised to strike and she was poison. Lawrence Mrwebi he called ‘Snail’, because he was slow, very lethargic and wouldn’t get anything done.” Agrizzi testified.

At this point, all of this is alleged and matters at Deputy Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo’s commission of inquiry into state capture have yet to conclude before any charges can be brought to all those implicated in corruption.