DA threatens to interdict NDPP interviews, reveals Justice Minister

Justice Minister Mmamolko Kubayi has revealed that her ministry received a letter from the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s lawyers seeking to interdict the interviews for the National Director of Public Prosecutions post.

A panel is due to select a candidate who will succeed Advocate Shamila Batohi once the interviews are completed.

Batohi's term comes to an end next month.

Kubayi dismissed the letter from the DA’s lawyers, threatening to interdict interviews for the NDPP vacancy.

She said the letter is misguided and has no merit.

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Kubayi opened proceedings on Wednesday where an advisory panel is interviewing candidates over the next two days for the top job.

The DA has been vocal about its objection to the shortlisting of advocate Menzi Simelani, who was removed from the post in 2012 after the Constitutional Court found his appointment by former President Jacob Zuma to be invalid.

Kubayi, who is chairing the interviews, revealed that the letter from the DA’s lawyers wherein the party threatens to interdict the interviews should they proceed.

“The letter is dated the 7th [December] but was received by us as the panel today [10^th December]. So, we had to reflect on it. I will not go into detail because we do believe that this is self-inflicted urgency but also there are no merits on it because we have not shortlisted.”

Kubayi has pointed out that the six candidates appearing before the advisory panel are not shortlisted, but are merely being interviewed because they meet the minimum requirements.

“We have instructed our legal team to respond to the letter. We do feel that there is no need to halt the process as the panel, there is no basis and, therefore, the letter was sent is actually misguided.”

Kubayi said after the candidates are interviewed, the names of shortlisted candidates will be submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa for consideration.