Newly appointed prosecuting boss Menzi Simelane has slammed criticism of his
appointment as driven by "armchair critics"
opposed to transformation *1.
Breaking his silence for the first time about the controversy around his
appointment by President Jacob Zuma, Simelane was adamant that the furore has
not had any impact on his plans for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
While a subcommittee of the General Council of the Bar (GCB) is evaluating
whether he should be struck from the roll of advocates for his conduct at the
Ginwala Inquiry - among 17 complaints against him - Simelane maintains he "has
not formally received any complaint" about his posting in his new job.
Dr Frene Ginwala, whose inquiry investigated former prosecuting head Vusi
Pikoli's fitness to hold public office, found that Simelane had made baseless
accusations against Pikoli that he was later forced to retract under
cross-examination.
Describing Simelane as arrogant, she found that his conduct "left much to be
desired" and suggested that, while serving as Justice Department
director-general, he had unlawfully
interfered with the NPA.
Justice Minister Jeff Radebe has insisted that both Ginwala and the Public
Service Commission, which recommended that Simelane undergo a disciplinary
inquiry, were unfair in their assessments of the 39-year-old.
Responding to questions from The Star through NPA spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga,
Simelane said yesterday he was undeterred by the criticism against him as he was
"fully alive to the fact that any appointment by the government, and in this
case the president, on high-profile positions is received negatively by armchair
critics - especially those who are opposed to
aggressive transformation in government
institutions *3".
Asked when Simelane planned to announce his much-anticipated plans for the NPA,
Mhaga responded that the new national director of public prosecutions' "plans
and strategies for the NPA will be seen through actions rather than words".
Mhaga added that the NPA would, however, "communicate to the public developments
in the NPA under his (Simelane's) leadership soon".
Simelane has refused to comment on Desmond Tutu's call on Zuma to reverse his
decision to appoint him. The statement by Tutu was released at the University of
Cape Town's recent Beyond Reconciliation conference.
"I appeal to the president to do the right thing. Since his appointment, he has
done much to restore confidence in the South African government. But the
appointment of Simelane is an aberration.
The appointment should be reversed," Tutu said.
He said that appointing Simelane "besmirches
the office of the national director of public prosecutions".
In addition to the GCB complaint against him, Simelane is also the reported
subject of a possible Democratic Alliance court challenge to his appointment.
This article was originally published on page 3 of
The Star on December 09, 2009
With acknowledgements to Cape Times.
*1This response
shows just what an idiot this is.
This stooge's two predecessors were black as the ace of spades.
So where's the transformation?
Is is he referring to transforming the office of the National Director of Public
Prosecutions into the Personal Security Guard of the President and the
ex-President?
*2This is a criminal offence.
Charge him.
As well as the dingbats who gave him his instructions, like Gungo Mumbo and her
President.
*3Read "aggressive protective policies by government
institutions to keep the chief criminals (mainly two of them) out of the
slammer".
Plus get one of the chief criminal's financier and best buddy out of the slammer
13 years early.