Cronje faces objection in battle for NPA leadership

Warned her past conduct raises serious concerns about suitability for post

- ZELDA VENTER AND SIFISO MAHLANGU

LEGAL heavyweight Barnabas Xulu has formally objected to the possible appointment of Advocate Hermione Cronje as South Africa's next National Director of Public Prosecutions, warning that her past conduct raises serious concerns about her suitability for the post.

His intervention adds further turbulence to an already contested and politically charged selection process that has triggered objections from several corners of the legal and political landscape.

In a detailed submission dated November 27, Xulu, through his firm B Xulu and Partners Incorporated, urged the Advisory Panel overseeing the National Director selection process to reconsider Cronje's advancement to the interview stage.

He argues that her actions while serving as head of the Investigating Directorate of the National Prosecuting Authority reflect behaviour inconsistent with the independence and integrity required of the country's top prosecutor.

Although Xulu stresses that the claims are not definitive findings of wrongdoing, he insists that the matters presented warrant full evaluation before any appointment is made.

At the centre of Xulu's objection is the long running Bengis matter, an international restitution case involving joint efforts by South Africa, the United States and Jersey to recover proceeds from the illegal abalone operations of convicted smuggler Arnold Bengis.