Cape Town - The man who was accused of lying to the Ginwala Commission
which found that Vusi Pikoli was fit person to be reinstated as the National
Director of Public Prosecutions, has been appointed in Pikoli's place.
Menzi Simelane was director-general in the justice department at the time of the
inquiry into Pikoli's fitness to be the NDPP.
Former National Assembly speaker, Frene Ginwala, in the conclusions of her
report said that Simelane misrepresented facts and failed to provide impartial
and relevant advice to the inquiry.
She also accused him of withholding documents under his care which were relevant
to the inquiry.
Taking over from Mpshe
Nevertheless President Jacob Zuma announced on Wednesday that he has
appointed Simelane to be the next NDPP.
He will take over from the acting director Mokotedi Mpshe on December 1. Mpshe
goes back to being deputy director.
"Adv Simelane's experience as the administrative head of the Justice and
Constitutional Affairs Department and in the legal fraternity provides him with
the necessary skills and capacity to perform his functions efficiently and
effectively," Zuma said.
Zuma was given a clear run to appoint a new director after Pikoli withdrew his
court case against the president and stopped demanding his reinstatement earlier
this week.
No disciplinary steps taken
Although a formal inquiry was set up to inquire into Simelane's conduct
before Ginwala in February this year, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe declined to
take disciplinary proceedings against him.
Instead, last month he was appointed as deputy national director of
prosecutions.
Zuma has also appointed a list of 14 judges to fill vacancies in the Supreme
Court and other courts around the country.
They include Jeremiah Buti Zwelibanzi Shongwe appointed as a Judge of the
Supreme Court of Appeal.
He recused himself from hearing Zuma's rape trial in the Johannesburg court,
because his sister had had a child with Zuma thirty years before.
Justice Lorrimer Eric Leach and Justice Zukisa Laura Lumka Tshiqi are also
appointed to the appeal court.