Fired NPA head Vusi Pikoli said on Thursday he believes he has a prima facie case that his sacking was unlawful.

His lawyers are arguing for an urgent interim application to stop a new National Director of Public Prosecutions being appointed until Pikoli’s full application is heard.

Pikoli was fired by ex-president Kgalema Motlanthe last year.

Advocate Tim Bruinders is arguing Pikoli believes the decision to fire him was unlawful.

He said not only would Pikoli be prejudiced if his successor was named but so would the constitutional value of prosecutorial independence.

Bruinders insisted Pikoli’s full application challenging his dismissal - which is set down for November - must be heard before a new NPA head is announced.

The judge allowed legal rights group Freedom under Law to join the application as friends of the court.