Paying Simelane's legal fees 'a disgrace'
2012-07-19 22:25
Johannesburg - It is a "disgrace" for the state to pay the legal fees of Menzi Simelane during a challenge against his appointment as chief prosecutor, the DA said on Thursday.
"Simelane’s defence is to protect his personal interests. We have all along been of the view that he was not an appropriate person for the job and was put there by the President [Jacob Zuma] to protect political interests," Democratic Alliance MP Debbie Schafer said in a statement.
"It is a disgrace that public funds are used to protect personal and party interests in this way."
Justice Minister Jeff Radebe reportedly said the state would pay the legal costs of the national director of public prosecutions.
"The amount of legal costs incurred and paid on behalf of advocate Simelane thus far... amounted to R1 770 324.90," he said
"Advocate Simelane's legal costs... were incurred as a result of a legal challenge... Advocate Simelane was cited in papers as the incumbent of the post and it was on this basis that he was granted legal representation at state expense."
Simelane has been on special leave since the end of last year, when the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that Zuma and Radebe had failed to consider misgivings about Simelane when he was appointed to the post.
The matter is now on appeal in the Constitutional Court.
- SAPA