Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit: Simelane continues to restructure in defiance of President Zuma
The NDPP Adv. Menzi Simelane is continuing to restructure the NPA and to decapitate and disband the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit in defiance of President Zuma's instructions.
That is the only possible interpretation of his reply this morning to my questions during the NPA's quarterly appearance before the Portfolio Committee on Justice.
On 13th May this year in his reply to the President's vote debate, President Zuma announced that all restructuring at the National Prosecuting Authority had been stopped pending the conclusion of the JCPS Ministers' discussion on the implementation of their performance agreements.
I had during the debate drawn his attention to the fact that the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit had been disbanded notwithstanding the fact that the Special Directorates are created by Presidential proclamation.
Adv. Simelane asserted this morning that the issue is not disbandment but reporting lines, and that the Unit's prosecutors now report to the provincial Directors of the Public Prosecution while the Special Director Adv. Chris Jordaan is in the NDPP's office. "There is one solid line and one dotted line," he said. He claims to be awaiting the Minister's decision, but said that "on the ground this is the way it should be."