Abrahams must release the record of decision to prosecute Gordhan when he appears before Parliament

4 November 2016

Monday’s decision by National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Shaun Abrahams, to drop criminal charges against Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, vindicates the DA’s position that these charges were without merit and manufactured purely for malicious political purposes.

The DA has written to Abrahams to request that he make public the record of decision to prosecute Gordhan, former SARS commmissioner, Oupa Magashula, and former deputy commissioner, Ivan Pillay, when he appears in Parliament today, where he will have to account for his unprofessional and frankly, embarrassing, actions as NDPP.

Without the record of decision in the public domain, it will prove difficult for Parliament to exercise proper oversight on Abraham’s disastrous decision to proceed with the prosecution.

The DA maintains that Abrahams initiated the charges against Gordhan for narrow political purposes, and following a lack of evidence and huge public outcry, was forced to make an embarrassing about-turn, leaving him with egg on his face.

The DA will continue to uphold the rights of all South Africans and fight for justice, even if those appointed to do so are compromised.

Issued by Glynnis Breytenbach, DA Shadow Minister of Justice, 4 November 2016