Gerrie Nel’s shock resignation from NPA raises flags

Reactions to the shock resignation of well-known state prosecutor Gerrie Nel from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to join AfriForum’s private prosecutions unit has been mixed.

The Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) on Tuesday questioned if Nel’s departure from the public prosecutions body after 36 years is related to NPA boss Shaun Abrahams’s “incompetence” and allegations of political interference from the ruling ANC.

“We are concerned about how the office, and the institution is run. The man running it is not fit to hold office. I hope there are people who can continue with the good work that he [Nel] started,” HSF director Francis Antonie told News24.

“Leaving in 24 hours seems to me like personal issues or there are issues in the NPA.”

The civil rights group and Freedom Under Law have been calling for Abrahams’s suspension following the botched prosecution of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and two former SA revenue service senior officials on fraud charges in October last year.

Meanwhile Glenn Agliotti – a central figure that led to Nel’s successful prosecution of disgraced former national police commissioner Jackie Selebi on corruption charges in 2010 – has said that Nel was a man of his own demise, saying he had many successful cases and his “very big ego” got the better of him.

Agliotti was also a key suspect in the murder trial of mining magnate Brett Kebble. He was cleared of all charges in November 2010.

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The Steenkamps, parents of slain model Reeva Steenkamp, who were represented by Nel during Paralympian Oscar Pistorius’ murder trial for killing his girlfriend, gave the top prosecutor their best wishes.

June Steenkamp told the news website her and her husband Barry were “devastated” to hear of Nel’s resignation from the NPA.

“He has been so good to us, and he really fought for justice for Reeva. He has become part of the family,” she said.

It is understood that AfriForum’s private prosecutions team will pursue prosecutions where the NPA fails to prosecute cases by not fulfilling its mandate.

Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday afternoon, Nel said if there was no selective prosecution by the NPA and citizens were equal before the law, then there would be no need for the unit.

Forensic consultant Paul O’Sullivan is also believed to be part of the unit.

Nel said he had not met him, but anyone could bring cases to him.

He will start his new job on Monday.