Nxasana told about inquiry: Presidency

President Jacob Zuma wrote a letter to NPA head Mxolisi Nxasana to inform him that an inquiry into his fitness to hold office would be held, the presidency said on Saturday.

"The presidency has noted a report in the Sunday Times... quoting the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr Mxolisi Nxasana as saying he heard from the media for the first time about the inquiry...," spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

"This is not true."

Maharaj said that a letter from Zuma was sent to Nxasana on Friday evening, and that Nxasana confirmed receipt of it.

"In addition, [on] Saturday July 5, Mr Nxasana was informed telephonically that the presidency would issue a statement about the President's decision."

On Saturday the presidency said that the decision to institute the inquiry was made in terms of Section 12(6)(a)(iv) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act 32 of 1998.

It emerged last month that former justice minister Jeff Radebe had reportedly asked Nxasana to resign because he had failed to disclose that he was charged with murder and acquitted in 1985.