President Jacob Zuma said on Wednesday reports that he was not free to appoint a new NPA boss were false.

Vusi Pikoli’s legal team has ”reluctantly” given the president two more weeks to reply to charges that he was fired for political reasons.

Kgalema Motlanthe has not yet made a decision on who should replace axed NPA head Vusi Pikoli, his spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Parliament on Tuesday ratified Vusi Pikoli’s dismissal as national director of public prosecutions, but he hit back with a legal bid to be reinstated.

Battle lines were drawn between the opposition and the ANC when the committee deciding the future of Vusi Pikoli began its formal deliberations.