Press Statement dated 14 August 2018
The Public Servants Association (PSA) welcomes the judgement made by the Constitutional Court yesterday about the appointment of Adv. Shaun Abrahams as National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as being constitutionally invalid.
Since Adv. Abraham’s appointment in 2015 as Head of NPA under a suspicious cloud when his predecessor was removed which the court has now found to be an abuse of power by the former president. It is unfortunate that things have to be dragged until the highest court and wasting taxpayers’ money in the process, but the PSA appreciates the independency of the country’s courts.
“The PSA represents about 76.66% of employees at the NPA who have been directly affected by the corrupt decisions, poor leadership and the lack of independence that the NPA prides itself with in the last three years under Abrahams,” said PSA General Manager, Ivan Fredericks.
The court has now ordered President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint a new head of NPA within 90 days. Although the President is expected to appoint an acting NDPP prior to permanently filling the position, it is of utmost importance that the incoming incumbent whether acting or not should be a person of integrity who will be able to instil public trust back into the NPA and be immune from influence by either politicians or business.
“This judgement is another milestone towards rooting out corruption in the public sector. The PSA as a majority union at the NPA believes that the organisation has competent prosecutors and what is needed is a person with leadership competencies that will bring stability to all levels of the structures including the deputies. The NPA is at the helm of the justice system in the country and the character of the NDPP is important and a source of great foundation in rebuilding structural independence of the NPA,” said Mr Fredericks.
Issued by Ivan Fredericks, General Manager, Public Servants Association (PSA)