As a result of the weakened exchange rate, the October outlook is a major concern, says Minister Jeff Radebe. (Madelene Cronje/M&G)
The announcement had been expected during Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe’s budget vote to Parliament on Wednesday.
Two weeks ago, he suggested that the new national director of public prosecutions (NDPP) and a head for the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) would be announced in his budget speech but he told Parliament this week: "The president is giving due considerations regarding the filling of the positions of the NDPP and the head of the SIU.”
The NPA has been under an acting head, Nomgcobo Jiba, since December 2011 when the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that former director Menzi Simelane’s appointment was "inconsistent” with the Constitution and invalid as President Jacob Zuma had not applied his mind in making the decision.
The Constitutional Court also ruled that Simelane’s appointment was invalid.
The last investigative unit head was Judge Willem Heath, who resigned after 17 days in office.
Shortly after his appointment, he told City Press that former president Thabo Mbeki had initiated rape and corruption charges against Zuma.
Heath also claimed fraud convict Schabir Shaik and senior ANC member Tony Yengeni were "sacrificed” in the arms deal investigation and that Judge Hilary Squires’s judgment in the Shaik corruption trial was flawed.
Mbeki’s office rejected the claims as defamatory and malicious.
Jiba was acting head of the SIU for a few days before Nomvula Mokhatla replaced her in December 2011.