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Menzi Simelane

b. 1970

South African lawyer

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About Menzi Simelane

Born 1970. Menzi Simelane is a South African lawyer.

Menzi Simelane is a South African advocate. He was appointed by Jacob Zuma as director of the South African National Prosecuting Authority in December 2009. His predecessor was Vusi Pikoli.

Biography

Simelane was born in 1970. He studied at the University of Natal and became an advocate of the High Court in 1996. He was appointed commissioner of the Competition Commission in 1999.

Appointment controversies

Menzi Simelane's appointment has been controversial. Before his appointment, Frene Ginwala led an inquiry into Vusi Pikoli's fitness for office. During her report she strongly criticised Menzi Simelane. The Democratic Alliance opposition party filed a lawsuit in opposition to his appointment. Archbishop Desmond Tutu described the appointment as an "aberration".

Simelane has challenged this criticism, arguing that it is driven by people who are hostile towards Black Economic Empowerment.

Justice Minister Jeff Radebe has defended him,

The Constitutional Court of South Africa, in October 2012, found that his appointment was invalid in the matter of Democratic Alliance v President.

In December 2012 the NPA announced Simelane was no longer working for them.

In April 2013, Lindiwe Sisulu, Minister of Public Service and Administration, appointed him as her legal advisor. In a judgement (in October 2012) finding him unfit to be appointed as head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Constitutional Court Judge Zak Yacoob said "[We] conclude that the evidence was contradictory and on its face indicative of Mr Simelane's honesty. It raises serious questions about Mr Simelane's conscientiousness, integrity, and credibility."

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Important facts

Born
1970
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
University of Natal

People in Menzi Simelane's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Menzi Simelane's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Menzi Simelane?

South African lawyer

When was Menzi Simelane born?

Menzi Simelane was born in 1970.

What is Menzi Simelane's occupation?

Menzi Simelane is a lawyer.

What nationality is Menzi Simelane?

Menzi Simelane is South African.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Menzi Simelane

· Wikidata: Q6817708

· DBpedia: Menzi Simelane

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Menzi Simelane. https://biography.guide/menzi-simelane/

MLA: "Menzi Simelane." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/menzi-simelane/.

Chicago: "Menzi Simelane." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/menzi-simelane/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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