Zuma decides not to suspend Shaun Abrahams
President Jacob Zuma has decided not to suspend the national director of public prosecutions, Shaun Abrahams, and two others.
The Presidency has released a statement confirming Zuma will also not suspend North Gauteng director of public prosecutions Sibongile Mzinyathi and acting head of the Priority Crimes Litigation Unit, Dr Torie Pretorius.
It relates to the charges brought against finance minister Pravin Gordhan and former Sars officials Ivan Pillay and Oupa Magashula.
Zuma had asked the trio to provide reasons as to why they should not be suspended pending the outcome of an inquiry into their fitness to hold office.
"Having considered the submissions received from the three prosecutors and concerns raised by the Helen Suzman Foundation and Freedom Under Law regarding their conduct, the President could not find substantiation for the claim that Abrahams, Mzinyathi and Pretorius’ conduct was actuated by ulterior motive or any other improper motive which would give rise to a charge of misconduct or that they are no longer fit and proper to hold office," the presidency says.
The presidency says an inquiry into their fitness to hold office will not be instituted.
"It is the President’s well considered view that there is no prima facie evidence pointing to the conduct of three prosecutors, constituting misconduct or lack of fitness and propriety to warrant the invocation of the provisions of section 12(6) read with 14(3) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act.”