President Jacob Zuma intends to appeal the North Gauteng High Court ruling that sets aside the appointment of Shaun Abrahams as National Director of Public Prosecutions.
AFP
Judge President Dunstan Mlambo found Abrahams' appointment to be unconstitutional.
The court also found that the termination of former prosecutions boss Mxolisi Nxasana's contract to have been invalid and ordered him to that pay back the R17 million.
"Whilst the
President awaits a full briefing on the judgement, he has been advised that an
early assessment displays, with respect, various grounds upon which a successful
appeal may be prosecuted," says spokesperson in the Presidency, Bongani Ngqulunga.
"The National
Prosecuting Authority is an important institution in our constitutional
democracy, appointments in respect of which are not made lightly".
"Together with
judges, who likewise are appointed by the President, the National Director of
Public Prosecutions plays a vital role in the criminal justice system. Minded by
the principle of the separation of powers, constitutional legality and the rule
of law, the judgement will be appealed".
"Out of deference to the court and the judicial system, these grounds will be properly ventilated in the normal course in court proceedings," says Ngqulunga.
Judge President Mlambo ruled that a new NDPP must be appointed within 60 days.
He did, however, say that the appointment cannot be made by President Zuma, as the court believes him to be "conflicted".
The task now falls to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
