Constitutional law expert Pierre de Vos has suggested that the appointment of advocate Menzi Simelane as national director of prosecutions is “the darkest and most scandalous day yet in the short life of President [Jacob] Zuma’s tenure”.
Writing two pieces on the new head of the NPA, De Vos is scathing calling Simelane “a liar” and stating that he is not a fit or proper person as is required for this appointment.
Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe has hit back claiming that Simelane is a fit and proper person and that he would be briefing the press shortly on the reason why he elected to discontinue the disciplinary measures against Simelane following the findings of the Ginwala Inquiry.
The simple question for me on this one is why Simelane?
Leave aside the issue on whether Simelane lied or not, De Vos’ claims that he will be a Radebe puppet and the justice minister’s opinion that he is indeed a fit and proper person to be a director and focus on the post and the candidate in context.
The head of the NPA has to be beyond reproach and of unquestionable integrity. The NPA has been shrouded in controversy. President Zuma has vowed to fight crime and tackle corruption. The police are embroiled in a shoot-to-kill saga while former head Jackie Selebi is on trial for corruption.
The justice minister had at his disposal other deputies to Mokotedi Mpshe whose appointment would not have raised eyebrows and who could have started the onerous task with a clean slate and universal backing.
Why then in the face of that go and appoint Simelane — who is controversial — to this particular post?
In essence it goes to the question of unnecessarily selecting a controversial candidate in a highly sensitive post rather than whether Simelane is a fit and proper person or not.
If he is indeed the fine upstanding citizen that Radebe would have us believe then appoint him to a less sensitive post of equal standing.
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56 Responses to “Why Simelane for the NPA?”
Vos showed that Simelane told a lie in court; claimed not to have received legal opinion on an issue when he had in fact done so. That would be a serious issue — except that we also have liars in the Constitutional Court, and the Cabinet, and practically everywhere else, so it’s actually no big deal.
Will Simelane be a good Public Prosecutor? Of course not. When did we last have a good Public Prosecutor? If some of the stuff which has come out in the Selebi case is true, we have never had a good Public Prosecutor.
Anyway, the judicial system is broken beyond repair. I doubt that even if you appointed the Archangel Gibreel as Public Prosecutor, the mess could be sorted out.
The most obvious conclusion to be drawn is that President Zuma does not want any more high profile prosecution of ANC politicians, and needs a lapdog to do his bidding in all key portfolios- especially Police, Justice, NDPP etc.
He is appointing sycophants and cronies to all the key portfolios.
The ANC’s preferred method of dealing with delinquent senior ANC members is “redeployment”, sometimes after “recall”.
What the ANC want is a similar situation to the broadcasting situation around “his master’s voice” lapdog SABC TV - have you noticed how hard-hitting programmes such as Special assignment do expose’s of child molesters, illegal immigrants, commercial fraud etc, but anything concerning wrongdoing by ANC pliticians is off limits.
Even the preview of a mildly satirical show ZA News was canned!
What I want explained is how they could use Ginwala’s findings to remove Pikoli, and then say that these same findings are of no relevance when
it comes to Simelane’s appointment. “Even if the president had a view on the Ginwala findings, they are of no consequence,” said Mona. “The president respects Frene Ginwala, but Frene Ginwala is not the minister of justice.”
It is quite obvious to any thinking person that the criteria for Simelane’s selection had nothing to do with finding someone ‘beyond reproach and of unquestionable integrity.’
Pierre de Vos said nothing when Helen Zille appointed pale males into the Western Cape cabinet. If Zille has a constutitional right to appoint farmers as health MEC’s, why does Zuma not enjoy the same privilege as Zille. More than 10 million people voted for Zuma to be president. No one voted for Pierre de Vos. Frene Ginwala was is not a judge but a retired polititian. Menzi was never on any trial. He qualifies to be appointed
If anyone wants any other candidate to be made a national director of prosecutions constitutionally, he/she/it must form a political party that will elect a president as the result of winning elections. Once again it is becoming tiresome that the likes of Pierre and Traps keep on casting aspersions around ONLY black appointed candidates by the ANC.
This practice of selective critism and analysis is monotonous and polluting the blogosphere.
It is a good question but I suspect somewhat rhetorical. If I can attempt to answer the questions in reverse order:’Why then in the face of that go and appoint Simelane — who is controversial — to this particular post?’ The answer - I am sure it would have been preferred to appoint someone less controversial, i.e the controversy was an incidental not a deciding factor and probably ‘a clean slate and universal backing’ were seen as ‘nice to have’s’ but not deciding factors. The first question: ‘The simple question for me on this one is why Simelane?’ I think the simple answer, without any value judgement of my own, is ‘political loyalty’. The third question, which should be asked of all SAns, is whether this should be weighted above all other factors. Answering this will give us insights into the kind of legal system we as citizens envisage for SA.
Why Simelane indeed: Recommended by Paul Ngobeni? This Paul Ngobeni?
“Ngobeni is also permanently prohibited from practising law in Connecticut, after ethical misconduct charges were brought against him. ”
And this Paul Ngobeni?
“Mark A. Dupuis, Communications Officer for the Division of Criminal Justice, State of Connecticut confirmed that “The status of the case remains unchanged, the charges are pending and Paul Ngobeni is a fugitive from justice in the State of Connecticut.”
Ngobeni is currently facing a series of criminal charges in Connecticut. These are of forgery in the 3rd degree, larceny in the 4th degree, larceny in the 3rd degree and larceny in the 6th degree.”
Ngobeni also admitted to City Press that he lacked South African legal qualification. However, he stated he was eligible to practice law through an exemption granted by the minister of justice, under the Recognition of Foreign Legal Qualifications and Practice Amendment Act of 1995.
Mr. Ngobeni has been disbarred in CT, MA, NY, and from the Federal Court System. He refuses to take care of his legal obligations in the United States.
OK, so Simelane has good backers; and please remind me why the Scorpions were disbanded? I get so confused.
1. Pikoli was going to prosecute Zuma and Selebi.
2. Simelane intervened against Pikoli giving Mbeki the excuse he needed to remove Pikoli and save Selebi.
3. Ginwala–against all the odds that she would do so–did not suppress the findings of the Inquiry into Simelane’s role in the sidelining of Pikoli.
4. Simelane abused his position and saved Zuma’s bacon but had to let Selebi fry.
5. Zuma owed Simelane. Now Simelane owes Zuma.
Come on, Traps, what else did you expect?
All I would like to know is if Simelane is a Zimbabwean with South African Citizenship. If yes, is this not against our Constitution regarding chosing the Head of the NPA? Can someone please verify?
Madoda is the name I was taught to address Wise Xhosa elders, so someone gave you the wrong name.
The chamelon’s true colours are exposed daily. All appointments will lead back to Polokwane 2007 rewards.
We shake our heads at Zim court cases - what will we do about ours ?
As with all and sundry - nothing !
Slippery slope has been well greased with cronies.
@Madoda
U cant possibly be serious. Are you saying that once you have voted a party to power they bocome immune to criticism? Are you saying that Citizens have no right to point out what is corrent? Are yuo saying that in order to critizise you must criticise every one all the time? Are you saying that only those that have critized Zille can critizise Zuma? This is pure stupid if that is what you are saying. Sorry I couldnt find a less offensive word to characterise someone who is obviously literate but playing dump.
It’s very clear that Zuma cares neither for the rule of law, nor — and this is even scarier - for the *appearance* of propriety. He is acting like a dictator - doing what he wants because he knows that no one can do anything to stop him. The institutions of state are so decimated by the Zumafia that the “rule of law” is permanently broken.
Madoda - you fail to understand the criticism. To you, it seems, the world is either “pro-ANC” or “anti-ANC”. Whether or not Zille should have appointed more women or people of colour to her cabinet is not the same at all as the appointment of the NPA director. The latter appointment *requires as a matter of law* that the person be of integrity and independent. If Simelane has not, Zuma has acted unlawfully. It’s not a matter of supporting your party no matter what - there are deep concerns about democracy that are at stake here, which even you - as a party loyal ANC - should be worried about.
Madoda is quite wrong - Alec Erwin and Carl Niehaus had plenty of aspersions deservedly cast on them. It stands to reason that when most candidates appointed by the ANC are black, then black people are likely to be the most criticized.
It’s also possible that no one voted for Pierre de Vos because he didn’t stand for any elections. And if Frene Ginwala’s opinion is worthless, then why waste yet more of our money by appointing her to investigate anything?
Madoda’s logic suggests to me that he feels the most important qualification for the post of National Director of Prosecutions is that he/she must be black. For me colour, whether black, white or anything in between, is at the very bottom of the list of requirements.
@Madoda, please stick to the question at hand and address it. What do you accomplish by trying to tarnish someone who is of no relevance to the issue being discussed? Nxa!
I do agree with those who question why the Ginwala report was considered substantiative enough to warrant Pikoli’s dismissal yet the same doesn’t apply to Simelane.
The Ginwala inquiry was a farce set up so President Mbeki could do some fancy side steps. So fancy did the sidesteps become that its become meaningless from which all make up their own conclusions. It marked some and unmarked others and taking it seriously is the last thing any thinking South Afrcan should do the inquiry was a little Machiavellian side manouvre that was designed to have us believe. Ginwala the “presiding officer” probably even believed she was doing something important(somehow I doubt it and her nervousness was more than apparent as the conflicts raged in the party). Its conclusions look very much like a hedged political bet in a divided house that would leave her with exits everywhere she looked. Simelane should be looked at outside of that farcical inquiry - All I know about him so far is that he is a short man so dig up something other than the circus inquiry designed to obscure and manipulate public opinion. Anyone know anything about the man outside of all this? David
What makes you think that this is peduliar to our justice system? Cronyism appears far worse under Zuma than it was under Mbeki. Ndebele has bled KZN of its top Transport people, too. And in case you haven’t realised, Madoda, Cronin, ex KZN, is white, which is why I picked that example!
Geez Madoda, stop playing the race card. This is not about the man being black. This is not about appointing a DA stooge. This is about appointing someone who does not have legal question marks hanging over his head. There are lots of competent black advocates who fit that definition, and many if not most of them happen to be ANC supporters.
“…Mokotedi Mpshe whose appointment would not have raised eyebrows and who could have started the onerous task with a clean slate and universal backing. …”
Congenial Pres Zuma appoints Jeff Radebe as his rottweiler to do his mauling of the judiciary and Simelane; well he is just a lapdog there to lick Zuma’s hand and roll over when tickled. come on chaps wake up , smell the coffee, join the dots.
Madoda, you happen to be wrong. I criticised Zille for appointing an all male cabinet. I also wrote an article lambasting her for dismissing a report about racism experienced by black Africans in Cape Town. It would be better to stick to the facts and the address the substantive arguments. The question is, why did our President purport to appoint Simelane who (i) had lied to the Ginwala Inquiry and had tried to mislead it; (ii) had stated that he does not believe in the independence of the NPA. President Zuma complained bitterly about the two previous NDPP’s because they were not independent from political influence. So why then appoint someone who is not fit and proper and does not believe in the independence of the NPA as required by the Constitution? It would be interesting to hear arguments in favour of the appointment which addressed these issues.
I have blasted Jansen on the Free State 4, called Ryan Seacrest a prat and told Canada they are idiots for believing Huntley. (All recent)
Why?
Because they are TOPICAL and WHITE.
Are you suggesting that as a political commentator with an almost predominantly black party in power I ignore issues at the top in order to take 1 black then 1 white issue?
U.S commentators deal with 1 white issue then 1 black issue….?
Do you know how ridiculous you sound?
Instead of accepting that after apartheid blacks are the guys in power and accordingly the subject matter of scrutiny, you would rather defend the indefensible based upon YOUR racist approach.
If anything I balanced the sides on the Simelane issue and suggested that the ANC should have given him a less controversial posting of equal status.
If you read the press accross the board (black and white) it is the kindest suggestion to the ANC of what they should do with this fellow.
Try reading the issue and forget the racism each time.
Simelane alternatives aren’t whites so how does seeking a more neutral candidate become racist?
What else do we know about Simelane besides the fact that he lied to the Ginwala Commission?
Worried with this onerous thoughts I ventured behind the scenes to where the NPA is headquartered - Silverton. What I uncovered that shocked me to the marrows of my bones - South Africa could be needing Simelane in that position more than it needed Zuma for President.
I agree with you Madoda.De Vos was quoted in another newpaper calling Pres Zuma a leader of a gang.Really this is insulting to us, does De VOS want to tell us that we ( majority black people) are so stupid that we voted a gangster.Some white people still black people must get approval from them for anything they want to do.We will continue supporting the ANC.To hell with De Vos.
The appointment of Simelane is a crude slap on the face of all critics of teh ANC. It indicates precisely what Madoda says: “Millions voted us into power so we will do as we please.” This attitude is called dictatorship maskerading as democracy.
Pierre.
I doubt if you are going to hear any objective arguments about this appointment.
I have given up commenting about appointees such as this, because of the uncontrollable urge to swear and curse.
Nothing surprises me any longer with this government.
Thupi, you’re right - never argue with a fool - there is little point in arguing with the pro-zuma camp - they’ve already made up their minds, and, although fools, they are fools putting a corrupt political agenda into play to replace the previous corrupt political agenda … welcome to the cynical and ineffective world of a country ruled by mediocrity.
In the US the AG is a political appointment (Eric Holder) as are the Supreme Court Chief Justice (Roberts) and the rest of the Supreme Court Judges.
Why should it be any different here? Because it suits whatever your personal agendas are.
Do you fools (De Vos included) really think Zuma should appoint someone who is going to use the position to derail the governments policies and plans with ongoing attacks and endless litigation against politicians?
Get used to the fact that South Africa is no longer a colonial politically white dominated enclave. What de Vos or Zille or Trapido have to say is meaningless to the real issues at stake…a more equitable share of the countries resources going to the people instead of (as is characteristic of every colonial and US dominated country), to a minority of “elite” business people and professionals.
Of course Similane is the right man for the job. He will oversee the destruction of all the eveidence against our esteemed president and his henchmen and women. He will then do what is right and help get Shaik pardoned and assist in the cover up of all the billions that have been stolen from the fiscus by the ANC.
We cannot have an honest man in that position - we need someone who will follow instructions from Luthuli House.
Exactly Traps, Zuma understands that he’s in power and he is exercising it.Pierre de Vos, JJ Tabane, Paul Hoffman, Traps et al, unfortunately their past and present utterings and campaign sidelines them from giving any meaningful advise to Zuma.Whatever these individuals say is seen as the continuation of their anti Zuma campaign. It is also regrettable that it’s only the appointment of black Africans that is often met with this vitriolic criticism. If this observation sounds like playing the proverbial race card, so be it.
South Africa is a beatiful country, seating on a time bomb. Wether we want to belive that or not. I envy those that can pack and fly out of the country - but I bet they do so while the airpots are still fully operational. Good Luck
The Prophet of Doom on November 30th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Yes, Mandla, you voted for a gangster.
It was obvious to anyone with both their eyes open that JZ got off the corruption charges with a “gangster act” of spying and threatening. Now he appoints a sycophant who will do his bidding to one of the most important positions in the country.
Sorry Mandla, you’ve been robbed by your own heroes and will continue to be until you realise that they are all politicians are not to be trusted unless they’re out of office.
JZ’s true colours are showing, and they don’t look good for the masses.
How many years of exoerience does Adv Simelane have at the Bar? Anyone care to find out?
Although “experience” is not defined, could not not construct an argument in law that it would have to be interpreted in this context as having some such experience? after all, the man will be in charge of all of the prosecutions - why is there a requirement of this person being an advocate?
@Madoda, surely you do not read Pierre’s blog. He did take Zille to task on her choice of pale males. Anyway. The pale males, nor Zille, have the same power that a NDPP has in deciding the course of justice in this country were the blood cries out for justice! Go figure, I hate the way people justify crappy decisions by their heroes(or is it just a colour issue?) by pointing our other peoples shortfalls in their decision process. That is so schooljard, GROW UP PEOPLE!
I have news for you. White people were stupid enought to vote for gangsters Botha and Vorster, so I cannot see why black people cannot be equally stupid to vote for gangster Zuma.
Sipho, Madoda et al - show me a white appointee that is deserving of this kind of criticism - come on, first you’ll have to find a white person appointed by the ANC regime to a constitutionally sensitive nationally important position and then you’d have to present evdience that he/she was of dubious moral character, lied under oath and refused to follow the constitution. Show me such a person and I’ll happily help you lift that log off your shoulder. Case closed.
@Billy Hill
It was reported that Booi is currently in China on ANC buisness.
Is this not an ominoud sign that SA’s resources will soon be in the hands of the Chinese and a few of the ANC elite?
Trapido and his ilks are missing the point here. Zuma is in power and he needs to appoint people whom he can trust that they will deliver on the mandate that his party has set for itself. In the US, UK, Russia and all developed countries the practice is the same. Unless Trapido and his fellow travellers were expecting that the likes of de Vos, will be the ones who get appointed to these positions. Then that means Zuma and the ANC will be the dumbest political party in power. As far as I am concerned, Simelane is an inspiring choice. He does not suffer from any delusion of grandeur as his predecessors (Ngcuka and Pikoli)
Nhlanhla Ngubane on November 30th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Piere
“Madoda, you happen to be wrong. I criticised Zille for appointing an all male cabinet. I also wrote an article lambasting her for dismissing a report about racism experienced by black Africans in Cape Town”
Yes, you should also tell Madoda that your tirade to Zille will soon mean nothing–as it happened in the past where barely two weeks or so after you’ve lambasted her for her backward actions–you’ll also write a long sweety nicey letter apologising to her for (or retracting)every word you’ve used to lambast her.
For now, we’ve just have to admit there’s no partial constitutional expert in this country–because a another frequently used expert, Professor Shadrack Gutto, is singing the same tune as well.His analysis or study of every situation affecting the ANC led government is soo one sided and biased to the core.
Compare the appointments of Simelane with that of Thuli Madonsela as Public Protector. She is thoroughly honest and hardworking. The key difference between their jobs is that the Public Protector can only look two years back and hence cannot do anything about the arms deal.
The ANC and Zuma absolutely cannot allow any investigation of the arms deal and therefore must get a thoroughly compliant and reliable advocate to be NDPP. Who else but Menzi Simelane?
Traps and De Vos, you both are legal persons of note in the country. Would you care to tell us if it is really fair to Simelane to pronounce him guilty of these heinous crimes without having heard his side of the story? Is it an acceptable legal practice to do so? The objective of the Ginwala Commision was not to look at the suitability of Simelani for the high office of the NDPP, and Ginwala’s findings were never subjected to cross-examination.
You parade yourselves as paragons of righteousness here, but yet you are subjecting this Simelane fellow to very unfair treatment.
What is the criteria for dertermining suitability for the office of the NDPP apart from that the incumbent “must be of unquestionable integrity? what constitutes a questionable intergrity? We have so many aprtheid-era judges i our courts; De Vos never raised a voice to question their suitability to hold such an office in a democratic South Africa.
Nhlanhla Ngubane are you telling us that Zuma must appoint people he can trust above people of ability and integrity?
Are the ANC not paying a terrible price for exactly that at lower levels where corruption and incompetence is rife.
That is not my assessment read up on the subject and see what the president said.
If competent people of integrity is not where we are aiming then people must not complain when there is no service delivery because either the money has gone or the parties appointed have messed it up.
I am just baffled to say the least by Simelane’s appointment after Ginwala’s commision saga but what can we say it seems the current ANC LEADERSHIP is just doing everything they can to spark controversy.
Spoiler writes “show me a white appointee that is deserving of this kind of criticism”
Pierre de Vos is one such individual who abuses his public platform as a university “professor” to advance partisan interests.Judge Harmse is another one who ruthlessly attack lower court decision knowing very well that those courts have no right to reply. Some Supreme Court of appeal judges who attribute newspaper phrases to a lower court judge. Constitutional court judges who rush to the media before they’ve heard the other side of the story. As far as Pierre de Vos no one can get it wrong when it comes to Zuma or his perceived associates.
Ja, it’s the brazenness with which JZ goes about appointing controversial figures to positions that in essence require people of integrity, decency and independence that is terribly frightening. Obviously he considers himself invincible and untouchable - he’s over confident and shameless in his endeavours to ensure his corruption charges will never again see the light of day. Let’s hope the old adage of “pride comes before the fall” or “over confidence is a recipe for disaster” applies to him just as it has to many other leaders in the past who thought wrongly that they could do as they pleased no matter the consequences for millions of people looking to them for protection and security. The wheels of justice to turn eventually. And really, that racist card is so inappropriately over used on this blog at times. These dubious appointments should be concerning for anyone who deeply cares about South Africa and her people. The ANC leadership has done fabulous stuff in the past, it is just not doing so at this time in relation to this and related matters… anyone who cannot see what JZ’s plans are in relation to the Justice and Security cluster is just blind or ill informed or both. And as one of the bloggers said, millions whites were stupid enough to vote in the apartheid government and believe they could maintain the status quo - you know the story about history repeating itself? And that’s the sad thing about history.
@ Rose Morrow
“Ja, it’s the brazenness with which JZ goes about appointing controversial figures to positions that in essence require people of integrity, decency and independence that is terribly frightening”
I suppose integrity, decency and independence means preferably being white with an anti ANC agenda or to a lesser extent being African with pathological hatred for Zuma.
Sipho - “integrity, decency and independence” -means just that and nothing more - for me anyway. That would be pretty normal for someone taking up that position don’t you think? You may have hidden agendas and skewed motivations when you write on the blog - I don’t - and many others who contribute here are genuine in their desire to be useful citizens making a constructive contribution to SA, contributing positively through caring about all her people. We grow in that direction through vibrant discussion around informed opinions and by having open minds which can be changed by valid arguments couched in decency and respect. “You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it with a ten pound hammer.” This is a conversation, not a battle field. Surely we are not here to score points and prove how very clever and witty we are or make unfounded claims of bias and racism in everyone but ourselves. If you want someone to walk with you to your world, enter theirs, convince them of your integrity and then take their hand and lead them to a better place.
@Rose Morrow - Words carry the burden of social meaning. We use them to express our world views based on our personal experience and interests. There are words that are reserved for those we consider to be our enemies and those reserved for our friends. Words are never neutral.We never see any positives in our perceived enemies and we never see any negatives in our friends.
You’ve already concluded that Zuma’s only motivation is corruption. And this is entirely based on dinner table conversations and what is gleaned from your prefered media. You probably don’t read anything that negates your beliefs.
If you sincerely want to build the nation (I honestly believe your are) I would suggest you refrain from casting aspersion on others without concrete evidence.
I have been out of SA for over a year now and follow events closely. I often want to comment on TL and as I type, I realise that it’s a lost case.
What is happening is a joke, but it’s not funny. I feel so sorry for the good people in the country - at least 43990000 innocent bystanders in SA who will suffer.
But in the end, Africa is about going through cycles.
Sipho - Thanks for your thoughtful response and I especially like your advice in the last paragraph: “…I would suggest you refrain from casting aspersion on others without concrete evidence.” That is good advice for everyone of us to follow, even on the blog. That said, in a court of law guilty findings are made based on circumstantial evidence and there is quite a lot of that around JZ in regard to the corruption charges - many respected 0legal minds and rated commentators hold that opinion. As for concrete evidence in the form of a Court finding, for the moment that is not available because JZ has fought a long, hard and extremely costly battle to avoid facing the corruption charges in a Court of Law. That situation is not of our making. Taking the above into account, the appointments around the justice and security cluster are of great concern. Simelane has already said Mbeki (or the presidency…) made him do it……. and that in itself is problematic in terms of what he is prepared to do to please his current “master”.
@ Rose Morrow - most black people believe that Dr Wouter Basson was as guilty as charged. People know their comrades who were injected with black mamba vernom and yet the court declared that there was no evidence.
Zuma was cleared by another arm of the judiciary and to insist on the clearance by the courts creates an impression that something was amiss in the courts. Zuma has consistently said he believe his duck was already cooked, especialy at the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. Surely there were reasons that made him suspicious. For example the Chief Justice of the CC was given a national award by a sitting president, who had material interest in some cases the CC was to adjudicate on. A Deputy Chief Justice socialised with Zuma’s nemesis and even assure his guests he was “gonna do the thing” irrepective the new ANC said. I personal become suspicious when former President De Klerk went around the world assuring his audience that Zuma would never become a president. How could he be so sure, especially after his private meetings with former President Mbeki. Even Mbeki actively assisted the prosecutors by following Zuma to Mauritius to ensure that the government hand over documents to the NPA. The whole succession episode has been very muddy, to therefore rely on “respected legal minds” to tell the truth is a bit overly trusting.
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By trade a criminal attorney he is now a politcal commentator and journalist full time.
"Traps Report" on the Richmark Sentinel is probably the largest news aggregator in the world. That includes Google, Huffington Post and Drudge.
If you click on the links of the Traps Report you should be up to date on all the latest news worldwide as well as local.
He is a director of the firm Turnbull and Associates.
He was born in Johannesburg and attended HA Jack and Highlands North High Schools. He married Robyn in 1984 (Mrs Traps, aka "the government") and has three sons (who all look suspiciously like her ex-boss).
He was a counsellor on the JCCI for a year around 1992.
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Vos showed that Simelane told a lie in court; claimed not to have received legal opinion on an issue when he had in fact done so. That would be a serious issue — except that we also have liars in the Constitutional Court, and the Cabinet, and practically everywhere else, so it’s actually no big deal.
Will Simelane be a good Public Prosecutor? Of course not. When did we last have a good Public Prosecutor? If some of the stuff which has come out in the Selebi case is true, we have never had a good Public Prosecutor.
Anyway, the judicial system is broken beyond repair. I doubt that even if you appointed the Archangel Gibreel as Public Prosecutor, the mess could be sorted out.
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