JACOB Zuma’s choice of Menzi Simelane as the National Director for Public Prosecutions leaves much to be desired.
Simelane covered himself in shame with his testimony at the Ginwala Commission into whether or not former prosecutions boss Vusi Pikoli was fit to hold office, ironically, in the very same job to which Simelane has just been appointed.
Here’s a reminder of what Frene Ginwala — hardly one to shoot her mouth off without very careful consideration — had to say about Simelane’s testimony:
“I must express my displeasure at the conduct of the DG: Justice in the preparation of government’s submissions and in his oral testimony, which I found in many respects to be inaccurate or without any basis in fact and law.”
She went on to describe him as “Highly irregular, arrogant, condescending in his attitude.”
And there was more: “In general his conduct left much to be desired. His testimony was contradictory and without basis in fact or in law.”
Simelane will not inspire or lead the professional staff of the public prosecution service with any confidence.
It is hard to imagine a more damning series of criticisms of someone in a profession related to law enforcement.
That Zuma could entrust South Africa’s primary prosecuting job to such an official is very disappointing.
It suggests that Zuma does not accept Ginwala’s assessment of Simelane’s character despite the many hours she spent observing him, hearing evidence from others and sifting through the facts on Pikoli.
The scene is set for the decline of the public prosecutions office and this will hurt Zuma’s effort to recast himself as a crime-fighter.

Related posts:

1. Ginwala on Simelane – full text
2. Menzi Simelane’s first act is to limit media access to prosecutors
3. Tutu calls on Zuma to dump Simelane – full text
4. Jeff Radebe on why Simelane is okay – full text
5. Zille – Zuma’s lawyers are lying – full text