A popular South African prosecutor, Gerrie Nel, who oversaw the convictions of Paralympian Oscar Pistorius and former police chief Jackie Selebi has resigned from his job.  He handed in his resignation on Monday, giving his employers 24 hours’ notice. 


Mr Nel is one of the most high profile and successful prosecutors in South Africa.  He achieved international fame when he successfully prosecuted Pistorius for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013. 

He was also widely praised for getting Selebi, als a former Interpol president, jailed in 2011 for taking bribes worth around $156,000 (£103,000) from convicted drug dealer Glenn Agliotti.

Today is Mr Nel's last day at the National Prosecuting Authority. 

He is reportedly joining a mainly  Afrikaner civil rights group, AfriForum, where he will set up a private prosecutions unit, BBC reports.