Zuma to appoint NPA head by end August

25 July 2013 - 10:37

By Sapa

President Jacob Zuma will appoint a national director of public prosecutions (NDPP) by the end of August, according to a report.

“I have considered many candidates for he NDPP position, and unless something unexpected happens, I will make the appointment before the end of August,” Zuma was quoted as saying in papers submitted to the Constitutional Court on his behalf on Wednesday, Beeld reported on Thursday.

The Council for the Advancement of the SA Constitution (Casac) reportedly approached the court seeking an order that Zuma make the appointment within 30 days.

According to Beeld, the watchdog organisation claimed South Africans’ safety, freedom and equality were at stake unless Zuma appointed an NDPP to ensure the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) independence, stability and efficiency.

The NPA has been without a permanent chief since November 2011 after Menzi Simelane’s appointment was declared invalid.

In the court papers, Zuma reportedly said the NPA was neither in a state of crisis, nor unstable.

Beeld reported that he claimed to have considered a number of candidates, but to have rejected them, for confidential reasons. Zuma reportedly said the appointment process was almost complete, and he denied that any “improper motive or agenda” was behind the delay.

Institute for Accountability in Southern Africa director Paul Hoffman, reportedly told Beeld Casac deserved praise because it had forced Zuma to commit to a date.