NPA suspected Breytenbach leaked info to media

"We are dealing here with the reputation of the criminal justice system. If the general public loses confidence with the criminal justice system‚ it affects even the state security‚" he said during his testimony in the disciplinary hearing of Breytenbach held at the at the NPA headquarters on Wednesday.

Wasserman said it was clear that whenever his unit had a meeting with Breytenbach and the contents of the meeting were confidential‚ there would be media coverage the next day.

He said it became clear to the unit when it analysed the inbox of Breytenbach's laptop and found a number of e-mails between a Beeld reporter and Breytenbach.

"We are not allowed to speak to the media. If you are approached‚ you are supposed to refer them to the designated official spokesperson‚" Wasserman said.

Wasserman also said Breytenbach's refusal to hand over an official laptop was illegal and in contravention of the IT policy of the NPA.

Breytenbach is accused of alleged improper conduct in the case that she handled on behalf of the NPA.

The NPA claims that between September 2010 and February this year‚ Breytenbach colluded with the legal counsel of Kumba/Sishen to exert improper influence and direction of the criminal investigation against Imperial Crown Trading (ICT).

Breytenbach also faces counts of refusing to hand over the laptop that was allocated for her use‚ giving the same laptop to other people contravening the internet and e-mail usage policy of the NPA. She is also accused of contravening the media policy of the NPA.