Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has voiced his frustration over the delay in the tribunal hearing related to his case. Recently, Jalesi Temo, the Acting Chief Justice and Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), announced that Mr. Pryde had been informed of the intended hearing date.
The hearing was originally set to take place from next Monday until August 30. However, Mr. Pryde announced yesterday that the hearing has been postponed. He stated, “I have been advised that the proposed tribunal hearing dates of 19 to 31 August 2024 have been vacated.”
Mr. Pryde expressed disappointment that the tribunal, consisting of three judges, has not yet provided him with the necessary disclosures to fully understand the allegations against him related to superannuation. He was suspended last April, a move he believes was due to his conversation with the former Attorney General at an official event. A year later, the JSC added a charge of overpayment in superannuation, which Mr. Pryde contests.
He further criticized the lack of progress, stating, “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 said that it should continue to be paid.” He highlighted that the situation is approaching its 17th month without resolution and that the JSC has declined to address the issue of his salary suspension.
The media has reached out to the JSC for further comment and is awaiting a response.