OPINION

Jiba and Mrwebi request and are granted special leave

Senior NPA officials will apply for leave to appeal High Court ruling striking them off the roll of advocates

Jiba and Mrwebi placed on special leave, will appeal judgment

Johannesburg - Deputy national director of prosecutions Advocate Nomgcobo Jiba and Advocate Lawrence Mrwebi have been placed on special leave, NPA spokesperson Luvuyo Mfaku said in a statement on Friday.

"On September 16 the National Department of Public Prosecution (NDPP) placed both Jiba and Mrwebi on special leave at their request and after having consulted the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services thereon."

Mfaku said in their request to the NDPP both Jiba and Mrwebi confirmed their instructions to their legal representatives to file applications for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal against the judgment and order handed down against them.

Mfaku added that the National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams took into consideration the integrity of the NPA, the public confidence in the NPA and the administration of justice as a whole, balanced against the integrity and reputation of Jiba and Mrwebi, "along with their constitutionally entrenched rights to equal protection and benefit of the law, including their right to appeal".

"The NDPP would like to thank the two officials for upholding the integrity of the institution as well as theirs."

Mjiba and Mweri were struck off the roll this week.

This article first appeared on News24.