Menzi Simelane is a South African advocate. He was appointed by

Jacob Zuma Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma (; born 12 April 1942) is a South African politician who served as the fourth president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018. He is also referred to by his initials JZ and clan name Msholozi, and was a former anti-aparth ...

as director of the South African

National Prosecuting Authority The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) is the agency of the South African government responsible for state prosecutions. Under Section 179 of the Constitution and the National Prosecuting Authority Act of 1998, which established the NPA in 199 ...

in December 2009. His predecessor was Vusi Pikoli.

Biography

Simelane was born in 1970. He studied at the

University of Natal The University of Natal was a university in the former South African province Natal which later became KwaZulu-Natal. The University of Natal no longer exists as a distinct legal entity, as it was incorporated into the University of KwaZulu-N ...

and became an advocate of the High Court in 1996. He was appointed commissioner of the

Competition Commission The Competition Commission was a non-departmental public body responsible for investigating mergers, markets and other enquiries related to regulated industries under competition law in the United Kingdom. It was a competition regulator under t ...

in 1999.

Appointment controversies

Menzi Simelane's appointment has been controversial. Before his appointment,

Frene Ginwala Frene Noshir Ginwala (25 April 1932 – 12 January 2023) was a South African journalist and politician who was the first Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa from 1994 to 2004.

led an inquiry into Vusi Pikoli's fitness for office. During her report she strongly criticised Menzi Simelane. The Democratic Alliance opposition party filed a lawsuit in opposition to his appointment. Archbishop

Desmond Tutu Desmond Mpilo Tutu (7 October 193126 December 2021) was a South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-apartheid and human rights activist. He was Bishop of Johannesburg from 1985 to 1986 and then Archbishop ...

described the appointment as an "aberration". Simelane has challenged this criticism, arguing that it is driven by people who are hostile towards

Black Economic Empowerment Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) is a policy of the South African government which aims to facilitate broader participation in the economy by black people. A form of affirmative action, it is intended especially to redress the inequalities creat ...

.Simelane speaks out
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Justice Minister A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administration of justice. The ministry or department is often headed by a minister of justice (minister for justice in a v ...

Jeff Radebe Jeffrey Thamsanqa "Jeff" Radebe (born 18 February 1953) is a South African politician who was last appointed as Minister of Energy by Cyril Ramaphosa on 26 February 2018. He served in the government of South Africa as Minister in the Presidency ...

has defended him, as well as the ANC chief whip, Moloto Mathopa. The Constitutional Court of South Africa, in October 2012, found that his appointment was invalid. He is currently the subject of investigation by the South African General Council of the Bar.The case against Simelane
''M&G'' In December 2012 the NPA announced Simelane was no longer working for them. In April 2013,

Lindiwe Sisulu Lindiwe Nonceba Sisulu (born 10 May 1954) is a South African politician, member of parliament since 1994, and member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress currently serving as Minister of Tourism since August 20 ...

, Minister of Public Service and Administration, appointed him as her legal advisor. In a judgement (in October 2012) finding him unfit to be appointed as head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Constitutional Court Judge

Zak Yacoob Zak may refer to: People * Zak (surname), a surname of Russian origin * Żak, a Polish surname * Žák, a Czech surname * Zak (given name) Fictional characters * Zak Adama, in the '' Battlestar Galactica'' franchise * Zak Dingle, in UK TV ''Emme ...

said " econclude that the evidence was contradictory and on its face indicative of Mr Simelane's honesty. It raises serious questions about Mr Simelane's conscientiousness, integrity, and credibility."

References

External links

Profile of Menzi Simelane
{{DEFAULTSORT:Simelane, Menzi 20th-century South African lawyers Living people University of Natal alumni 1970 births 21st-century South African lawyers