Johannesburg – State prosecutor Gerrie Nel has been appointed as head of AfriForum's private prosecuting unit after handing in 24-hour notice to the National Prosecuting Authority on Monday.
AfriForum is a civil rights group.
According to Nel, he decided to accept this position because he "was concerned over the perception of the NPA's tendencies to selective prosecutions and that everyone was seemingly not equal before the law".
AfriForum said: "Nel will now start with a process to involve other experts in AfriForum's private prosecution unit to ensure that the organisation has the strongest possible abililty to intervene here the system of criminal law neglects to let justice prevail."
Nel, nicknamed bulldog for his aggressive interrogation style in court, prosecuted among others Oscar Pistorius and former police commissioner the late Jackie Selebi.
He worked for the NPA for 35 years.
Nel was given an award a few years ago for his successful prosecution of Selebi.
Earlier on Tuesday spokesperson for the NPA Luvuyo Mfaku confirmed that Nel handed in his immediate resignation to the Director of Public Prosecutor.
“Gerrie Nel handed in his 24-hour resignation and stated that he wishes to pursue other things. We wish him well on his future endeavours. He has left with immediate effect,” he said.
Nel resigned at the time that he was busy with a murder case of flying squad member Edward Kennedy Fox who is accused of murdering his wife as she slept at their Vereeniging home three years ago. Fox then blamed the murder on intruders.
Mfaku said they always anticipate that prosecutors will leave hence they always pair them in cases so that if anything was to happen, the other prosecutor takes over. He said they do that for purposes of continuity and that the Fox case would continue as planned and that Nel's unexpected and sudden resignation will not halt it.
"We have great prosecutors," he said.
Mfaku described Nel as a "consummate professional".
"He believed in the NPA and was always professional, hardworking and dedicated. He mentored a lot of people who are now in senior management in the NPA; he really imparted his skills. He made a big impact in the NPA and will be missed by his colleagues. We wish him all the best," Mfaku said.
IOL and The Star