Cape Town - The DA is seeking an urgent probe into the appointment of National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Mxolisi Nxasana.
Parliament's justice portfolio committee should meet to investigate the process followed in appointing Nxasana, as well as determine whether the National Prosecuting Authority was being politicised, Democratic Alliance MP Glynnis Breytenbach said in a statement on Wednesday.
A letter calling for an immediate meeting of the committee would be sent to ANC chief whip Stone Sizani and National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete later on Wednesday.
Breytenbach said allegations had surfaced that Nxasana was not appointed through an appropriate process.
“Another concern is that Mr Nxasana might indeed be a fit and proper person to hold the office, but is now being pushed out because he is trying to assert his independence.”
Breytenbach said unabated political interference had severely compromised the country's prosecutorial integrity.
“Following a slew of scandals, the NPA has been saddled with a poor reputation. Parliament can no longer ignore this,” she said.
On Monday, Justice Minister Mike Masutha said no decision had been taken on how to handle Nxasana's security clearance.
Former justice minister Jeff Radebe reportedly instructed Nxasana to resign a few days before the new Cabinet was announced.
Nxasana had apparently not been given a security clearance because of past brushes with the law. He has refused to resign.
Sapa