Menzi Simelane
Encyclopedia
Menzi Simelane is a South African advocate. He has recently been appointed by Jacob Zuma
as director of the South African National Prosecuting Authority
. His predecessor was Vusi Pikoli
.
and became an advocate of the High Court in 1996. He was appointed commissioner of the Competition Commission
in 1999.
led an inquiry into Vusi Pikoli's fitness for office. During her report she strongly criticised Menzi Simelane. The Democratic Alliance opposition party has threatened to file a lawsuit in opposition to his appointment. Archbishop Desmond Tutu
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
.
Justice Minister
Jeff Radebe
has defended him, as well as the ANC chief whip, Moloto Mathopa.
He is currently the subject of investigation by the South African General Council of the Bar.
Jacob Zuma
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is the President of South Africa, elected by parliament following his party's victory in the 2009 general election....
as director of the South African National Prosecuting Authority
National Prosecuting Authority
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa , created a single National Prosecution Authority , which is governed by the National Prosecuting Authority Act...
. His predecessor was Vusi Pikoli
Vusi Pikoli
Vusumzi "Vusi" Pikoli is a South African advocate, and the recently fired head of South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority. He is noted for instigating criminal charges against disgraced South African police commissioner Jackie Selebi and ANC president Jacob Zuma...
.
Biography
Simelane was born in 1970. He studied at the University of NatalUniversity of Natal
The University of Natal was a university in Natal, and later KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, that is now part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It was founded in 1910 as the Natal University College in Pietermaritzburg, and expanded to include a campus in Durban in 1931. In 1947, the university...
and became an advocate of the High Court in 1996. He was appointed commissioner of the Competition Commission
Competition Commission
The Competition Commission is a non-departmental public body responsible for investigating mergers, markets and other enquiries related to regulated industries under competition law in the United Kingdom...
in 1999.
Appointment controversy
Menzi Simelane's appointment has been extremely controversial. Before his appointment, Frene GinwalaFrene Ginwala
Frene Noshir Ginwala is a South African journalist and politician who was the Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa from 1994 to 2004.Frene Ginwala is an Indian South African from the Parsi-Indian community of western India...
led an inquiry into Vusi Pikoli's fitness for office. During her report she strongly criticised Menzi Simelane. The Democratic Alliance opposition party has threatened to file a lawsuit in opposition to his appointment. Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu
Desmond Mpilo Tutu is a South African activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid...
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
Black Economic Empowerment is a programme launched by the South African government to redress the inequalities of Apartheid by giving previously disadvantaged groups economic opportunities previously not available to them...
.
Justice Minister
Justice Minister
A justice ministry is a ministry or other government agency charged with justice. The ministry is often headed by a minister for justice or secretary of justice or secretary for justice; sometimes the head of a department of justice is entitled attorney general.Specific duties may relate to...
Jeff Radebe
Jeff Radebe
Jeffrey Thamsanqa "Jeff" Radebe , is currently South Africa's Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development. He was born in Cato Manor, and lived there until 1958 when his family was forcibly removed to KwaMashu....
has defended him, as well as the ANC chief whip, Moloto Mathopa.
He is currently the subject of investigation by the South African General Council of the Bar.