EDITORIAL: Cyril’s hesitancy speaks volumes
Why did President Cyril Ramaphosa feel he needed a panel to help him appoint a new National Director of Public Prosecutions to succeed Shaun Abrahams?
Now why did President Cyril Ramaphosa feel he needed a panel to help him appoint a new National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) to succeed Shaun Abrahams? It is a reflection of the appalling state of affairs in SA that the president apparently does not want to be solely responsible for appointing our equivalent of a national attorney-general. Constitutionally, the president has substantial powers of appointment. Ramaphosa seemingly had little difficulty replacing directors at huge state-owned companies. He was even able to pull Tito Mboweni out of the hat when faced with the sudden, potentially devastating resignation of finance minister Nhlanhla Nene. Some consultation would have been expected on the NDPP appointment, but a formally constituted panel? The answer must be that the undermining of presidential legitimacy in the Zuma years is so extensive that Ramaphosa lacks confidence. He must feel he needs to protect himself from accusations within the ANC — for that is where ...
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