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"The ACDP is extremely disappointed with President Zuma's choice of the new head of National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Adv. Menzi Simelane.

During his tenure as DG of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, he was surrounded by controversy, as highlighted by the Ginwala Report, regarding the previous NDPP, Adv. Vusi Pikoli. Ginwala made a number of scathing findings against Adv. Simelane, including that, he misled the former Minister of Justice, Brigette Mabandla and interfered with the independence of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Adv. Wim Trengrove, representing Adv. Vusi Pikoli, accused him of being "blatantly dishonest" about withholding important information from the Ginwala Commission. We fail to understand why a person who has been accused of being "blatantly dishonest", of misleading the former Minister of Justice, and of interfering with the independence of the NPA can now be appointed to be the head of the very organization he undermined with his interference.

In view of Ginwala's findings, and the need for an independent NPA, the appointment of Adv. Simelane is startling to say the least.

The ACDP is thus extremely disappointed with the appointment of Adv. Simelane as the new head of the NDPP."