Johannesburg - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has accused advocate Glynnis Breytenbach of causing irreparable harm to the organisation's image, according to a report.
Breytenbach, the suspended regional head of the specialised commercial crime unit, argued in court documents submitted in the Labour Court in Johannesburg that the NPA had "ulterior motives" when it suspended her,
Beeld reported.
This was to prevent former crime intelligence chief Lieutenant General Richard Mdluli from being prosecuted for fraud and corruption.
Abuse of powerThe NPA argued that Breytenbach knew her suspension was related to her alleged abuse of power in the Kumba/Imperial Crown Trading (ICT) case. Through her allegations, they said, she had tarnished the NPA's image and good name, according to the report.
The NPA said the relationship between Breytenbach and her employer had irreparably crumbled, an offence for which she may be dismissed if she is convicted.
In her court application, Breytenbach accused Advocate Nomgcobo Jiba, acting NPA chief, of backdating her letter of termination to protect Mdluli.
The NPA argued that Breytenbach was guilty of gross misconduct, due to the fact that in February, after she was asked for reasons why she should not be suspended, she refused to hand over her laptop to a senior manager of internal investigations.
Neither Breytenbach nor the NPA would comment.
Her disciplinary hearing was scheduled to take place on June 19.
SAPA
