President Zuma to appeal NDPP ruling
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.
NOW READ: Judge President Dunstan Mlambo found Abrahams' appointment to be unconstitutional.
President Jacob Zuma is appealing today's Pretoria High Court ruling, that the removal of former NPA head, Mxolisi Nxasana was invalid and the subsequent appointment of incumbent Shaun Abrahams had been unlawful.
The North Gauteng High Court also ruled that the golden handshake of more R17 million that Nxasana received was unlawful - and must give it back.
The Court found that President Jacob Zuma was conflicted in the appointment of the NDPP because of his corruption charges.
ALSO READ: Zuma decides not to suspend Shaun Abrahams
In a statement, the Presidency says it had been advised there are grounds for a successful appeal.
The application was brought by Corruption Watch, Freedom Under Law and the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution.
Lawson Naidoo is with Casac and says today's judgement is far reaching.
"The circumstances are so unique, that the President is in a conflict of interest situation and the court has made this order saying that the Deputy President must appoint a new National Director of Public Prosecutions. The court has to be persuaded to do that on the very specific circumstances of this case. I think [it's indicative of] the nature and seriousness of the way in which the court views these charges the President faces," he says.
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