The current practice where the National Director of Public Prosecution is appointed by the country’s president is problematic, suspended NPA boss Vusi Pikoli said on Wednesday.
Delivering a lecture at the University of Cape Town, Pikoli said there was a need for the power to appoint the head of the National Prosecuting Authority to be moved away from the executive – to eliminate any doubts over the appointee’s independence.
“That will guarantee the full independence of prosecutors,” he said. Since prosecutors had a duty to prosecute all forms of corruption, including that where senior politicians could be involved, there was a need for them to be appointed in a transparent manner.
Pikoli suggested the method currently being used to appoint judges as the most appropriate one for the purpose. “It would be better if we had a transparent process so that the public may have confidence in the person holding the office,” he said.
