Zuma moves closer to suspending NPA boss

President Zuma will ask NPA boss Shaun Abrahams and two of his directors why they should not be suspended pending an inquiry.

Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday announced that he would ask National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss Shaun Abrahams and two of his directors why they should not be suspended pending an inquiry.

“President Jacob Zuma has given notice of his intention to request reasons as to whether to suspend Advocates Shaun Abrahams, National Director of Public Prosecutions, and Sibongile Mzinyathi, Director of Public Prosecutions as well as Dr Torie Pretorius, Acting Special Director of Public Prosecutions from their respective offices and whether to hold an inquiry into their fitness to hold office,” the presidency said in a statement.

“The President has requested the three advocates to make written representations to him, as to why they should not be placed on suspension and whether to hold an inquiry into their fitness to hold office.”

The presidency said this was in response to calls by non-governmental organisations Freedom Under Law and the Helen Suzman Foundation.

“Freedom Under Law and the Helen Suzman Foundation raised concerns with the manner in which the three advocates conducted the prosecution of Minister Pravin Gordhan, Mr Visvanathan Pillay and Mr George Magashula.”

Freedom Under Law and the Helen Suzman Foundation have launched an urgent court application to compel the president to suspend Abrahams, Mzinyathi and Pretorius.

African News Agency