DA bid to remove Simelane dismissed

2010-11-10 16:14

Johannesburg – The DA's application to set aside President Jacob Zuma's appointment of Menzi Simelane as National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) was dismissed by the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday.

Judge Pieter van der Byl denied the DA's application and no order was made on costs.

DA chairperson James Selfe said the party would meet its legal team on Wednesday afternoon to examine the judgment and decide whether or not to appeal.

"We remain convinced that the appointment of Advocate Menzi Simelane as the National Director of Public Prosecutions was wrong, and that he is not a fit and proper person to occupy that post.

"The NPA fulfils a crucial role in the criminal justice system and it is essential that its head is seen to be completely beyond reproach and independent from the executive."

The DA contended Simelane was not the right person for the position and that the process followed to appoint him was irrational, resulting in an arbitrary and irrational decision to which Zuma failed properly to apply his mind.

It also argued that the appointment was made for an improper ulterior motive, namely to appoint an NDPP who was thought to be malleable to the executive's wishes.

- SAPA