Shaun Abrahams

Shaun Abrahams is a South African lawyer and the former national director of public prosecutions (NDPP) at the National Prosecuting Authority.

Shaun Abrahams
Director of National Prosecuting Authority
In office
2015–2018
PresidentJacob Zuma
Preceded byMxolisi Nxasana
Succeeded bySilas Ramaite (acting)[1]
Shamila Batohi

Prior to his appointment in 2015 when Mxolisi Nxasana stepped down as NDPP, Abrahams had been a senior state advocate in the Priority Crimes Litigation Unit.[2] Questions were immediately raised about the manner in which he had been promoted ahead of more senior prosecutors.[3]

Abrahams had joined the NPA as an administrative clerk in a provincial office while completing his legal studies.[4][5] He holds B Iuris, B Proc and LLB degrees, which he read part-time at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.[6]

Abrahams has been seen as complicit in helping President Jacob Zuma avoid corruption charges, and was given the nickname Shaun The Sheep as a result.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Abrahams has described himself as "nobody’s man".[14]

Abrahams' appointment was challenged by Freedom Under Law, and on 8 December 2017, his appointment was set aside by a full bench of the High Court, finding that he was irregularly appointed. The court also ruled that President Zuma was conflicted and therefore a replacement should be appointed by the Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa instead, and this must be done within 60 days.[15] The NPA appealed this ruling,[16] but in August 2018, the Constitutional Court ordered that Shaun Abrahams vacate his position as NDPP and President Cyril Ramaphosa appoint a new NDPP within 90 days.[17]

Abrahams reportedly retired from the NPA with benefits,[18] but the NPA declined to comment on such employment-related matters.[19] Abrahams said he would not be lost to the legal fraternity.[20]

Abrahams was succeeded as NDPP by Silas Ramaite in an acting capacity. His successor, Shamila Batohi, was appointed NDPP on 4 December 2018 and assumed office in February 2019.[21]

Childhood

Abrahams was born in Piketberg in the Cape where his father worked in construction and his mother was a teacher. He attended school in Pietermaritzburg.[22]

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References
  1. Mahlasa, M. "Silas Ramaite appointed as acting NPA head". News24. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  2. "Shaun Abrahams appointed as National Director of Public Prosecutions". www.enca.com. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  3. News, Eyewitness. "Shaun Abrahams appointed new NPA boss". Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  4. "Best qualified for the NPA job". News24. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  5. du Plessis, Anton (September 2016). "Interview with Shaun Abrahams, National Director of Public Prosecutions". South African Crime Quarterly (57): 61–67. doi:10.17159/2413-3108/2016/v0n57a1428. ISSN 1991-3877.
  6. Brief Resumé, npa.gov.za
  7. reporter, Citizen. "Shaun Abrahams appoints 'state capture team' – report". The Citizen. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  8. "Shaun the Sheep may find new excuse not to charge Zuma – Pierre De Vos - BizNews.com". BizNews.com. 2017-10-16. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  9. "HuffPost Weekly Review: Shaun 'The Sheep' Must Step Up, Timol Verdict Opens Pandora's Box and Fikile Crushes The Wrong Balls". Huffington Post South Africa. 2017-10-13. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  10. "The parallels between Jacob Zuma and Harvey Weinstein cannot be missed". Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  11. "How Shaun the sheep broke the NPA". Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  12. Curtis, Dr Jack &. "[CARTOON] Is Shaun the Sheep Pulling the Wool Over Our Eyes?". Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  13. Cohen, Tim (2017-07-25). "Shaun the Sheep can stop the fleecing". DispatchLIVE. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  14. Hunter, Qaanitah. "[From our archives] New NPA boss is 'nobody's man'". The M&G Online. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  15. Bateman, Barry (8 December 2017). "'Conflicted' Zuma not allowed to appoint new NPA head, says court". Eyewitness News. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  16. "NPA to appeal court ruling that Abrahams appointment was invalid". eNCA. 9 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  17. "The ConCourt's Abrahams judgment: 10 things you need to know".
  18. "Shaun Abrahams retires from NPA, with benefits". News24. 2018-08-31. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  19. News, Eyewitness. "DA welcomes report on Shaun Abrahams' resignation from NPA". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  20. "Shaun Abrahams on his post-NPA plans: 'I will not be lost to the legal fraternity'". News24. 2018-08-15. Retrieved 2019-01-07.
  21. Chabalala, Jeanette (4 December 2018). "Introducing Shamila Batohi: The country's first female NPA boss".
  22. "How Shaun the Sheep broke the NPA". Business Live. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
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