Pretoria - The Presidency said on Tuesday that it respects and will abide by the High Court judgment interdicting President Jacob Zuma from appointing a permanent National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).
Judge Ben du Plessis earlier ruled in favour of former NDPP Advocate Vusi Pikoli's application to block President Zuma from appointing a permanent NDPP until Advocate Pikoli's full application is heard in November.
"The President respects the ruling and will abide by it," President Zuma's spokesman Vincent Magwenya said in a statement, adding that the Presidency will make further comment, if necessary, once it has studied the written judgment.
"It (The Presidency) reiterates President Jacob Zuma's view that the appointment of a permanent head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is critical to the country's efforts to tackle crime," said Mr Magwenya.
Advocate Pikoli was suspended by President Thabo Mbeki for allegedly compromising national security in his handling of a corruption case involving former National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi.
In February, Parliament endorsed a recommendation by former president Kgalema Motlanthe that he be fired for not paying careful attention to sensitive security matters.
But Advocate Pikoli had since challenged the decision to fire him, which came after an inquiry into his fitness to hold office last year.
He had denied the allegations claming his sacking was as a result of his intention to arrest Mr Selebi.
