Court rules that NPA interviews be held in public

The interviews of the 12 shortlisted candidates are due to start on Wednesday. 

The Presidency had opposed the court bid, saying that media access will be inappropriate.

Right2Know approached the court on Tuesday, asking it to direct the President to allow at least 20 accredited reporters to "attend, record, and report upon the interviews".

In his judgment, Judge Johan Louw said the president had not given sufficient reason as to why the interviews should be held behind closed doors. 

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Louw further said it is public knowledge that the office of the head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has been plagued by instability due to the actions of its former directors.

"To shut the public out of this important process will further erode public confidence in the integrity of the NDPP and the NPA, I agree with that submission," Louw said.

He said the public cannot be expected to have confidence in the new director if they have no information on the shortlisted candidates.

"It is of utmost important that confidence in the NDPP be restored.”