Shaun Abrahams

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.^[2]

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.^[3] Questions were immediately raised about the manner in which he had been promoted ahead of more senior prosecutors.^[4]

Abrahams had joined the NPA as an administrative clerk in a provincial office while completing his legal studies.^[5][6] He holds B Iuris, B Proc and LLB degrees, which he read part-time at the University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.^[7]

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.^{[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]} Abrahams has described himself as "nobody’s man".^[15]

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.^[16] The NPA appealed this ruling,^[17] but in August 2018, in Corruption Watch v President, the Constitutional Court ordered that Shaun Abrahams vacate his position as NDPP and President Cyril Ramaphosa appoint a new NDPP within 90 days.^[18]

Abrahams reportedly retired from the NPA with benefits,^[19] but the NPA declined to comment on such employment-related matters.^[20] Abrahams said he would not be lost to the legal fraternity.^[21]

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.^[22]