NPA head fighting to keep job
IN A twist of fate, National Prosecuting Authority head Shaun Abrahams was yesterday fighting to keep his job and pleading his case to a man also fighting to keep his job, President Jacob Zuma.
Zuma was facing pressure from all fronts yesterday, but at the same time managed to continue to conduct his state business when he hosted Ugandan leader Yoweri Museveni.
He had to also consider the submission made by Abrahams, who was on time to meet the deadline set by Zuma.
It will be a while before the president announces his decision on Abrahams.
Zuma spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga confirmed that Abrahams had made his submission to the president.
However, he did not disclose the contents of the submission made by the NPA head.
Abrahams has been under fire from parties in Parliament and civil society to go after his botched bid to prosecute Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.
The meeting at Luthuli House between Zuma, Abrahams and Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha has also been at the centre of the controversy.
The meeting took place at the ANC headquarters just a day before Gordhan was charged.
Masutha and Zuma have denied the meeting discussed Gordhan, saying the violent student protests was the topic of conversation.
Abrahams made a similar statement in Parliament when quizzed about the venue for the meeting.
Opposition parties said it was undesirable for a government official to hold meetings with ministers and leaders of parties in party offices.
The submission made by Abrahams to Zuma yesterday could be known once the president makes his decision on whether to institute an inquiry into Abrahams’s fitness to hold office.