Withdrawal of Gordhan charges casts shadow on NPA
Commentators and analysts are weighing in on the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) decision to drop fraud charges against the Finance Minister and two others.
NPA head, Shaun Abrahams announced earlier today that fraud charges have been dropped against Pravin Gordhan, and former SARS officials Ivan Pillay and Oupa Magashula.
The charges are linked to the approval of Pillay's early retirement from the revenue services.
There have been assertions that the charges had been politically motivated.
Political analyst Daniel Silke says it's a good day for South Africa.
"I don't think it's good, though, that the NPA has held the country to ransom over the course of the last two weeks and I think it severely dented confidence in our legal system within the country," says Silke.
Constitutional law expert, Pierre de Vos says there was never any case.
"The original decision to charge him was utterly scurrilous which suggests either a catastrophic incompetence on the part of the NPA or a political motivated persecution," says De Vos.