President Zuma appoints new National Director of Public Prosecutions

President Jacob Zuma has appointed the Deputy National Director for Public Prosecutions, Advocate Menzi Simelane, as the National Director for Public Prosecutions with effect from the 1st of December 2009, in terms of Section 10 of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) act 32 of 1998.

Advocate Simelane will take over from Acting National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Mokotedi Mpshe.

Advocate Mpshe will return to his position of Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions. President Zuma thanked Advocate Mpshe for his leadership of the NPA during a challenging time of transition in the leadership of the institution.

"Adv. Simelane's experience as the administrative head of the Justice and Constitutional Affairs Department and in the legal fraternity provides him with the necessary skills and capacity to perform his functions efficiently and effectively", said President Zuma.

"The National Prosecuting Authority is a critical arm of the criminal justice system and a key instrument in the broader fight against crime and the implementation of justice. Its independence and vigour in the pursuit of justice must at all times remain unquestionable. We have confidence that Adv Simelane will make this his utmost priority," concludes President Zuma.
Born in 1970, Adv Simelane completed the B Proc degree in 1993 and the LLB in 1995. He was admitted as an Advocate of the High Court in 1996 and commenced pupillage at the Durban Bar. On successful completion thereof, he joined the Johannesburg Bar in 1997.

In 1999 he was appointed as the Commissioner for the Competition Commission. As the head of this government institution for 5 years he was involved in making decisions on mergers and acquisition and anti-competitive practices and their impact on the economy and the economic transformation agenda of government.

In June 2005, he was appointed Director-General of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. In October 2009 he was appointed by the President as the Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions at the National Prosecuting Authority.

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Jeff Radebe interacted with the Public Service Commission on matters relating to Advocate Simelane, raised by the Ginwala Commission, and decided not to proceed with disciplinary hearings against Adv Simelane.

President Zuma wished Adv Simelane well on his appointment.

Statement issued by The Presidency, November 25 2009

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