Why Pikoli threw in the towel

NONI MOKATI

JOHANNESBURG- Government’s willingness to mediate is the reason why former National Prosecuting Authority boss Vusi Pikoli put his legal battle behind him, according to lawyer Aslam Moosajee of Deneys/Reitz Attorneys.

Moosajee’s comments follow an announcement by government at the weekend that it had reached a R7,5-million out-of-court settlement with the axed National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).

In its statement, The Presidency said: “The two parties acknowledge that a breakdown took place in their relationship and now wish to restore it to one characterised by mutual trust and respect.”

It further said the agreement reached was that Pikoli withdraw his application before the North Gauteng High Court and that he be paid an amount of R7,5 million in full. But Moosajee, who was due to represent Pikoli in same court today, told The Citizen that if no agreement had been reached then Pikoli would have still challenged the President’s decision to appoint a new NDPP before dismissal case had been completed.

Meanwhile, NPA spokesman Tlali Tlali said that legal effects of the Presidency’s decision had taken its cause and that this had cleared all legal obstacles in the way.