Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has voiced his frustration regarding the delay in the scheduling of the tribunal hearing concerning his case. In a statement released last month, Jalesi Temo, the Acting Chief Justice and Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), announced Mr. Pryde had been informed about the planned hearing dates.
The hearing was originally set to take place from next Monday until August 30. However, Mr. Pryde reported yesterday afternoon that he has been notified of a postponement.
“I have been advised that the proposed tribunal hearing dates of 19 to 31 August 2024 have been vacated,” Mr. Pryde stated. He expressed disappointment that the panel of three judges responsible for adjudicating the allegations against him has not yet provided him with the necessary information to comprehend the charges related to the superannuation matter.
Mr. Pryde was suspended from his role as DPP in April last year, which he attributed to being seen conversing with the former Attorney General during an official event. It was a year later that the JSC introduced an additional charge citing overpayment of superannuation, a claim he contests.
“I am dismayed that I have still not received the required disclosures and that the tribunal has yet to set a hearing date, and that my salary continues to be suspended five weeks after the Prime Minister stated it should still be paid,” he remarked. “This situation is approaching its 17th month without resolution, and the JSC is unwilling to engage in discussions regarding the unilateral suspension of my salary.”
This publication has reached out to the JSC for a comment and is awaiting their response.