Justice Dept to oppose application seeking to interdict process to appoint new NDPP

The Department of Justice said it will oppose an urgent application that seeks to interdict the process of appointing a new head for the National Prosecuting Authority.

The application was filed by law firm B Xulu and Partners.

The law firm believes Hermoine Cronje’s candidacy was not properly considered by the advisory panel for the selection of a National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).

B Xulu & Partners wants the process to start from scratch and for President Cyril Ramaphosa to be prevented from making an appointment based on the recommendation from the panel.

The panel has been interviewing several candidates to replace the outgoing Shamila Batohi, whose term as NPA boss comes to an end next year.

The Department of Justice’s spokesperson, Terrence Manase, said it has noted the court papers that B Xulu and Partners has filed.

“In line with the applicable court rules, the Department intends to file a Notice to Oppose on the basis that the application does not meet the requirements for urgency and is premature, as the President is still considering the report submitted by the Advisory Panel, which considered all inputs received in respect of all candidates interviewed.”