Non-governmental organisations, Freedom Under Law [FUL] and the Helen Suzman Foundation said on Wednesday that they have sent a letter to President Jacob Zuma urging him to suspend National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shaun Abrahams and Dr JP Pretorius SC and Sibongile Mzinyathi, pending enquiries into their fitness to hold office.
Earlier this month, the rand took a knock as the NPA announced that it had issued a formal summons against Gordhan,and two former SARS officials Oupa Magashula and Ivan Pillay over the approval of Pillay’s early retirement with full benefits and subsequent five year contract. The announcement came amid the ongoing, politically-charged investigation into an intelligence unit within the South African Revenue Service.
The organisations said that the NPA, with Mr Abrahams’ support, brought baseless criminal charges against Gordhan, Pillay and Magashula, which showed that he lacked the required conscientiousness and integrity to be entrusted with the responsibilities of the office of the NDPP.
“Mr Abrahams does not believe that he has done anything wrong. He is mistaken. We have thus urged the President to hold him, and his colleagues, accountable.”
The letter to President Zuma described Abrahams admission that he did not apply his mind or see supporting documents as “reckless in the extreme”.
Gordhan, Magashula and Pillay were due to appear in the Pretoria Regional Court on Wednesday, November 2, but the charges were withdrawn.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
