Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has voiced his frustration regarding the delay in the tribunal hearing set for his case. In a statement last month, Jalesi Temo, the Acting Chief Justice and Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), announced that Pryde had been informed of the hearing schedule.
Originally, the hearing was planned for the period between next Monday and August 30. However, Pryde reported yesterday afternoon that he has now been informed that the hearing dates have been postponed.
“I have been advised that the proposed tribunal hearing dates of 19 to 31 August 2024 have been vacated,” Pryde stated. He expressed disappointment that the three-judge tribunal assigned to address the allegations against him has not provided the necessary disclosures for him to adequately understand the charges related to the superannuation issue.
Pryde was suspended from his position as DPP last April, which he attributed to being seen in conversation with the former Attorney-General at an official event. A year later, the JSC added a charge concerning an alleged overpayment of superannuation, which Pryde has denied.
“I am dismayed that I have still not received the required disclosures and the tribunal is yet to set a hearing date, while my salary remains suspended five weeks after the Prime Minister indicated it should continue,” he stated. He also noted that the situation is nearing its 17th month without a resolution, and the JSC has refused to address the issue of his salary suspension.
The publication has reached out to the JSC for a comment and is currently awaiting a response.