Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has expressed his frustration regarding the rescheduling of the tribunal hearing for his case. In a statement released last month, Jalesi Temo, the Acting Chief Justice and Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), announced that Mr. Pryde had been notified of the initially intended hearing date.
The hearings were set to take place from next Monday until August 30. However, Mr. Pryde stated yesterday that he has been informed that these dates have been pushed back. “I have been advised that the proposed tribunal hearing dates of 19 to 31 August 2024 have been vacated,” he noted.
Mr. Pryde expressed disappointment that the tribunal, composed of three judges, has yet to provide him with crucial disclosures needed to comprehend the allegations related to his superannuation. He was suspended from his position last April for what he termed as being perceived talking to the former Attorney General at an official event. A year later, the JSC added a charge against him concerning alleged overpayment of superannuation, which he denies.
“I am dismayed that I have still not received the required disclosures and the tribunal is yet to set a hearing date, and that my salary continues to be suspended five weeks after the Prime Minister indicated that it should continue to be paid,” he remarked. He further noted that the situation has extended into its 17th month without resolution, as the JSC has declined to discuss the unilateral suspension of his salary.
This publication has contacted the JSC for comment and is awaiting a reply.