Rights group fighting to have prosecutions chief interviews in public
But presidency says doing so might pollute the process and prevent interviewers from asking tough questions
The presidency is fighting an urgent legal bid to ensure that the interviews of candidates for national director of public prosecutions (NDPP) are open to the media — on the basis that it could cause real “harm” and “prejudice” to the process. President Cyril Ramaphosa has until December 19 to appoint a replacement for ousted NDPP Shaun Abrahams, after the Constitutional Court found that his appointment was invalid and gave the president 90 days to appoint his replacement. Right2Know has now launched an urgent application — due to be heard in the high court in Pretoria on Tuesday — to allow for live media coverage of the interviews of the 12 shortlisted candidates . It argues that there is clear public interest in the interviews being broadcast. The presidency is opposing the application on multiple grounds — including that opening the process to public scrutiny could stop the panel appointed by the president from asking tough questions on potentially “sensitive” cases. “The need fo...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.