Wanted: One Brave, Independent Prosecutor

"The opportunity you now have is to enable the change required, by appointing a person who has the moral courage, experience and stamina to stand his or her ground against political meddling, threats and harassment. Our request is that you choose someone who is up for the challenge of doing what must be done, so that the many cases against those who have or are abusing the coffers of the state and corporate entities are held to account," says OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage in an open letter to Ramaphosa.

"We ask that you also consider input and suggestions from the public in this appointment, to help find an excellent, brave and independent person for this crucial job."

The letter follows the Pretoria High Court judgment which puts current National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shaun Abrahams out of a job, bars former NDPP Mxolisi Nxasana from returning to it, orders Nxasana to repay his golden handshake and makes Deputy President Ramaphosa responsible for appointing a new NDPP within 60 days. President Jacob Zuma is reportedly planning to appeal.

The case was brought by Corruption Watch, Freedom Under the Law and the Council for Advancement of the South African Constitution.

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) welcomes the judgment and believes it offers an opportunity to rescue the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) from its failure to address serious corruption and state capture.

Read the open letter here.