Johannesburg - Embattled National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Menzi Simelane's salary has been terminated, the justice department said on Wednesday.
“Although his salary has indeed been stopped, all processes including consideration of the implications of the [Constitutional Court] judgement insofar as it impacts on the appointment of an NDPP are underway,” said spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga.
“Due to legal implications involved in these processes, we are unable to give full details.”
This meant he no longer headed the NPA in any way.
The Times reported on Wednesday that Simelane had been “quietly removed”.
NPA spokesman Bulelwa Makeke told the newspaper: “He no longer works for the NPA - in any capacity,” without going into further details.
In October, the Constitutional Court confirmed a Supreme Court of Appeal ruling in favour of the Democratic Alliance that President Jacob Zuma's decision to appoint Simelane as NDPP was invalid.
After the ruling, Nomgcobo Jiba was appointed as acting NDPP, but no further decision on Simelane's position was made public.
Asked for details following report in The Times, Makeke said his salary had been terminated following the Constitutional Court judgment.
There were no other new developments and the other processes continued.
She confirmed that Jiba was still acting in the position. He had been on paid leave until the judgment.
Simelane himself could not be reached for comment.
However, according to The Times, the Johannesburg Bar met on Tuesday night to discuss disciplinary charges it was bringing against him, after his removal as a member of the Bar. Comment was not immediately available from the Bar.
Sapa