South Africa's top state prosecutor who jailed Pistorius resigns

Gerrie Nel, South Africa’s top prosecutor has announced on Tuesday morning his immediate resignation from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

News of his resignation has sent shock waves through the country. Journalists are reporting that he leaves the NPA to go into private practice. He is scheduled to address a press conference to explain his reasons for leaving.

The NPA has meanwhile confirmed Nel’s resignation, ‘‘He wants to pursue other interests, we wish him well,’‘ NPA spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku is quoted to have said.

The topic #GerrieNel on Twitter has reached over 1 mil accounts, this comes after news he has resigned with immediate effect. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/yqlYTBgdHL

— Neo Motloung (@NeoMotloung_) January 31, 2017

He is renown for his high profile prosecutions earning him the nickname ‘the bulldog.’‘ His most recent high profile case being in the Oscar Pistorius – Reeva Steenkamp murder case.

He is also credited with leading the team that jailed a former national police commissioner, Jackie Selebi who was convicted of corruption in 2010. The Selebi case won him two awards in 2012.

He was named Prosecutor of the Year by the local Society of State Advocates and received a Special Achievement Award from the International Association of Prosecutors for “fierce pursuit of the vision of the National Prosecuting Authority’s ideals to achieve justice in society”