- Menzi Simelane’s shortlisting for NDPP position is shameful.
- He has been found to be dishonest and has a history of abusing his powers.
- The DA demands his removal as he hollowed out the NPA in the past and will do it again.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) demands the immediate removal of Menzi Simelane from the list of candidates for the NDPP position. Thirteen years after being removed as head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) following litigation by the DA, Simelane cannot be reinstated.
Simelane’s appointment as NDPP was declared unconstitutional as he lacked the necessary integrity and competence for the job. The Ginwala Enquiry (GE) report also labeled Simelane as dishonest and found that he has a history of abusing his powers.
The DA brought a legal challenge arguing that Simelane was not a fit and proper person. In late 2011 the Supreme Court of Appeal agreed with the DA, ruling Simelane’s appointment invalid. The Constitutional Court confirmed the SCA’s ruling in 2012.
Simelane was former President Jacob Zuma’s appointment to the NDPP at the NPA and is notoriously known for his ties and links to state capture.
The ongoing Madlanga Commission and SAPS ad hoc committee have revealed serious allegations that strike at the heart of South Africa’s criminal justice system, implicating senior law enforcement, prosecutorial, intelligence, and even executive officials in organised crime and systemic corruption.
We can therefore ill afford to double down on any controversial figures leading the NPA. The integrity of the Office of the NDPP cannot be restored when a disgraced member is shortlisted. Simelane doesn’t possess the necessary experience or backbone to rebuild the NPA. He actively facilitated State Capture in NPA in the past and will do it again if given the chance. This cannot be allowed to happen.
The NPA needs a leader with integrity, honesty and the ability to stand up for that which is just. Simelane possesses none of these qualities.
Rebuilding the NPA will be a long and arduous journey, but the first step cannot be the consideration of a controversial crony of a crooked former president.
This appointment process presents the opportunity to learn from the mistakes of the past, and considering Simelane for the NPA top job flies in the face of everything we have been promised in fighting corruption. We reject it in the strongest terms.