DA urges President Motlanthe to remove Justice Director-General from office

The Democratic Alliance (DA) strongly believes that President Kgalema Motlanthe has no choice but to remove the Director-General of the Department of Justice Mr Menzi Simelane, from office with immediate effect, in the light of the damning findings of the Ginwala Commission about his conduct.

The Commission found that Mr. Simelane was ‘dishonest' and ‘reckless' in his submissions to the Commission and interaction with the head of the National Prosecution Authority, and that, furthermore, he misled the Minister of Justice.

By the government's own admission the criminal justice system is dysfunctional. President Motlanthe needs to confirm that the government is serious in its commitment to improve the functioning of this system. He cannot do this if he retains Mr. Simelane in the pivotal role of director-general while it is alleged that he has acted dishonestly and has fundamentally misunderstood the powers and functions of his office. For the country to win the war against crime, the criminal justice system must be led by individuals who are above reproach.

If President Motlanthe does not remove Mr. Simelane from his position it will reaffirm the dominant perception that the decision to remove Adv. Pikoli from office, despite the Commission's recommendation to reinstate him, was not based on principle but rather on political expediency.

If President Motlanthe does not terminate Mr. Simelane's services, the DA will approach the Minister of Justice with a request that he reconsider the future of the Director-General, when Parliament reconvenes.

Statement issued by Tertius Delport, MP, Democratic Alliance spokesperson on justice, December 9 2008