"In light of reports which indicate that the Ginwala commission has found that Pikoli is fit to hold office, it is incumbent upon President Motlanthe to make the findings of the commission available to Parliament without delay," Botha said.

Pikoli was "in the dark" over media reports that his name may be cleared by the Ginwala commission, his lawyer said on Friday.

"We have received no information from Ginwala or the president's office," said Aslam Moosajee.

Botha said the replacement of Minister Brigitte Mabandla by Enver Surty as the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, coupled with the separation that should exist between the NPA and the executive authority, meant that whether or not Pikoli must be reinstated should rest on the question of his fitness for office alone.

"If the report does indeed clear Pikoli, then President Motlanthe must reinstate him," said Botha.

In releasing these findings expeditiously, Motlanthe had a golden opportunity to leave a legacy of putting justice and democracy first, and restoring some of the independence of the judicial institutions that was lost under his predecessor.

The NPA Act stated that Motlanthe had to inform Parliament of his decision, the reasons therefore and of any representations made by Pikoli in this regard.

"He must do so within 14 days, or, if Parliament is not sitting, no more than 14 days after the National Assembly reconvenes, as Parliament must decide whether it wants to ratify the President's decision or veto a reinstatement of the National Director."