The resignation of newly appointed Special Investigating Unit (SIU) head Willem Heath was welcomed on Thursday.
Former national director of public prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka commended Heath, saying the move was in the best interests of the country and the SIU.
“It was the right thing to do for the president [Jacob Zuma] and the minister of justice [Jeff Radebe] to prevail on the matter, as it would have been indeed untenable for advocate Heath to continue as the head of the SIU,” he said in a statement.
Radebe said Heath handed in his written resignation on Wednesday and Zuma accepted it.
The Inkatha Freedom Party said although it welcomed Heath’s appointment last month, it was “mindful” of the “substantial political baggage” he brought with him because of his relationship with Zuma.
“Unfortunately, the storm that erupted following advocate Heath’s attack on former president Thabo Mbeki, made him no longer suitable to lead the SIU — a position that requires complete impartiality,” IFP MP Velaphi Ndlovu said in a statement.
“We were disappointed to see that when he assumed the role, he immediately started acting like a politician, instead of an independent crime-fighting boss.”
Replacement
Deputy National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss advocate Nomgcobo Jiba will fill the post temporarily.
In 2008 Jiba was suspended along with Laurence Mrwebi — head of the Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit — after accusations that she was part of a conspiracy to have former Gauteng Scorpions head Gerrie Nel arrested before he could lay corruption charges against former police commissioner Jackie Selebi.
Zuma appointed Jiba as a deputy national director of public prosecutions earlier this year.
Justice department spokesperson Tlali Tlali said Zuma had the “utmost confidence” in Heath’s replacement.
“This is someone who is not a stranger to the NPA, we are certain she will be able to fill the role suitably,” said Tlali.
Investigation
Last week, Zuma asked Radebe to help his office in an investigation into Heath’s accusations against former president Thabo Mbeki.
“I invited advocate Heath to a follow-up meeting in my office in Pretoria in order to have the matters further clarified following his submission of information he had undertaken to make available,” Radebe said on Thursday.
“The manner in which events unfolded following his appointment, created a perception, rightly or wrongly, that he would not be in a position to execute his duties in an independent manner as expected or required of an incumbent holding that position.”
Last week the presidency had distanced itself from comments Heath made against former president Thabo Mbeki, saying they were made in his personal capacity.
“The presidency and government in general have nothing whatsoever to do with the comments made by Mr Heath,” said presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj.
“None of the allegations made by Mr Heath have been attributed to any duty or function which he exercises as the head of the SIU.”
Heath told the City Press that Mbeki, political rival to Zuma, allegedly initiated rape and corruption charges against Zuma.
He also told the Sunday newspaper that Mbeki also allegedly abused his position to compromise the criminal justice system by blocking some investigations into corrupt practices.
The corruption charges against Zuma and arms company Thint were dropped, and Zuma was acquitted on the rape charge.
‘Devoid of all truth’
Mbeki’s office also rejected the claims as defamatory and malicious.
A lawyer for Mbeki’s foundation has asked the presidency for evidence of allegations that Heath reportedly levelled against him.
Maharaj acknowledged receipt of a letter in this regard, but said a perusal of the newspaper report made it abundantly clear that it was conducted by Heath — who resigned as SIU head when Mbeki was president — in his personal capacity.
Last month, Willie Hofmeyr was replaced by Heath as head of the SIU.
Zuma said it would ease the pressure on Hofmeyr, the deputy national director of public prosecutions, who had headed the SIU in conjunction with his role as head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit.
“The president has been aware of the great work Willie Hofmeyr has done in leading the SIU and leading the fight against corruption. He’s done some really great work,” Maharaj told the M&G.
“The president decided on this strategic restructuring to further step up the fight against corruption.” — Sapa