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Willem Heath has resigned as head of the SIU after only two weeks on the job. Photo: Supplied
Johannesburg - The head of one of South Africa's top anti-corruption agencies, widely seen as an ally of President Jacob Zuma, has resigned after only two weeks in the job, the latest in a series of high-profile departures.
Opponents had accused Zuma of encroaching on the judiciary's independence by naming Willem Heath, his former legal adviser, to lead the Special Investigating Unit.
Justice Minister Jeff Radebe told Talk Radio 702's Eyewitness News on Thursday that Heath, a former judge, tendered his resignation after an investigation into comments he made about former president Thabo Mbeki to a newspaper.
“It became very clear that the utterances of Advocate Heath had created a perception, rightly or wrongly, that he cannot be independent in terms of helping the Special Investigating Unit,” Radebe said, adding that Zuma saw the comments as a serious matter.
Heath suggested in the interview that Mbeki had been behind rape and corruption charges laid against Zuma. Mbeki's office said Heath's claims were untrue and malicious.
Zuma was found not guilty on the rape charges, and graft allegations were dropped in 2009 after a legal battle in which Heath acted as his adviser. That cleared the way for Zuma to become president.
This month, the Supreme Court of Appeal overturned Zuma's appointment of Menzi Simelane as the country's top prosecutor.
And in late October he fired two cabinet ministers and suspended the national police chief in a bid to dispel criticism that he was soft on corruption.
Zuma's recent decision to launch a fresh inquiry into a multi-billion-rand arms procurement scandal has also failed to convince his critics.
The R30-billion agreement in the late 1990s to buy European military equipment has clouded South Africa's politics for years.
Zuma was linked to the deal when he was deputy president through his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik, who was jailed for corruption. - Reuters
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Anonymous, wrote
This country will only SURVIVE and be put back on track when the rightSOUTH AFRICANS (PLEASE NOTE south africans - not necessaeily BLACK Soujth Africans are appointed in the Government.! For Instance Minister of Jujstice- somebody like George Bizos ( any younger version around?)Defence !- somebody that has a military degree, been a foot soldier, knows what it feels like to be a foot soldier and has WORKED AND STUDIED HIS WAY THROUGH THE RANKS TO BE A GENERAL ! AGRICULTURE !! ( FOOD FOR THE NATION!)The best farmer South Africa has - with at least deegree in Agriculture ANib#mal Husbandy and who hasPROOVED HIMSELF BY ACHIEVEMENTS,turning a desolate veld into a Prosperous Farm- he will understand and UJpcoming young or inexperiences farmers and will KNOW what the Farming ommunity is talking about!EDUCATION!Professor with SEVERAL DOCTORATES( EARNED AT A real University all by himself using his BRAIN- no lowering of standards and pass marks etc..and no kind of Doctor like someone we know who used call himself Doctor so and so and never opassed High School never mind saw the inside of a University !Health Service, - no nonsense Professor with at 20 years Management and skills(somebody like Chris Barnard! around anywhere) a Pioneer! that will pull all the State HospitalClinics and start FIRING !! USELESS IDIOTSLAZY CORRUPT OFFICIALS:police Bring Back the REAL EDUCATED TRAINED POLICE AND DETECTIVES! AND A mINISTER WHO HAS WALKED THE WALK HIMSELF who earned being GENERAL ! Not off the street Mafoedies!-a NI NONSENSE MAN !mUST HAVE A DEGREE OR B pOL ETC.Tender Departments: FIRE THE LOT - A MAN MUST TAKE OVER AND all TENDERS NO MATTER WHAT MUST BE ADVERTISED for ANY SOUTH AFRICAN TO TENDER AND RESULTS PUBLISHED! Govt. ParastatalsSports Bodies - NO Bonnusses- THEY GET PAID LIKE THE REST OF US TO DO THE jOB ( AND by us!)Sell all the Plush Government housesmove Parliament to Pretoria- 1 house each not costing more than 4 million and in Cape Town or whever- Government Apartments ( No FANCY HOTELS !!) GOVERNMENT gARAGE- no hiring of cars !- 1 car per Minister only!NO HIRING OF CHARTER FLIGHTS! fLY THE nATIONAL cARRIER TO THE NEAREST AIRPORT AND DRIVE- OR iNTERNATIONAL- FLY saa BUSINESS CLASS! OR oay in out of own salary if they want to fly FIRST CLASS - not our TAX money.No further perksparties etc.BUDGET ON PHONES AND PRIVATE PHONES THEY MUST PAY THEMSELVES!. nO family airtickets etc. If they live in OPretoria that is their home- ONLY Ministers tickets paid if he travels for work! REST THEY MUST PAY FOR THEIR FAMILIES THEMSELVES - not us !tHIS MUST NOW HAPPEN IN ALL dEPARTMENTS! no million dollar Salaries in MunicipalitiesBonusses etc- that is RATEPAYERS AND TAXPAYERS money NOT THEIRS!alL iNTERNATION AL tRAVEL tRIPS TO BE ADVERTISED FOR QUOTES !no super de luxe hotels -(they do not even live like that when THEY have to pay themselves! scrap the BEEAA DESCRIMINATION AGAINST bonafide south africans- start building tghe Country instead. Results- no housing backlogirradication of Povertybetter schoolsbetter Hospitalsbetter management-better Services Then we will be on the road to a BETTER Country and prosperity instead of the shocking degenerationfraud going on! Oh yes, send all the Illegals. PHONEY Asylum Seekers back to their Countries! We, as SOUTH AFRICANS ARE TIRED OF ACCOMMODATING THEM AT OUR EXPENSE !Oh Yes! nO MAMPARAS EMPLOYED IN tOP jOBS - ONLY SKILLS COUNT- not COLOUR.ParlementMunicipalitiesGovernment Parastatals is not a Nursery School for kindergarden kids to go and gain basic skills and knowledge. It MUST work! Sell off all the State Parastatals that is costing Billions to support the Useless lot!Give Tuli Madonsela a Billion Budget and 80 HONEST STAFF WITH integrity! Some VERY SERIOUS REMEDIES NOW NEEDED TO STOP US BECOMING ANOTHER AFRICA BASKET CASE!
Anonymous, wrote
I am happy that Heath has resigned, he is a biased individual and has no place in a position that requires a balanced viewpoint. Zuma is to be commended for his strong stance against corruption. He is doing a lot better than I expected when he became president. Though I still think the country would be better off with the DA in government, and the ANC as the opposition to keep things balanced.
Slim, wrote
Must admit, am rather happy that things did not work out like it was planned! "Jobs for Mates" program has NEVER worked.
Ebrahim, wrote
"blow fro zuma"? we shuold rather question the impact this development will have on the country,if any...
Anonymous, wrote
Septua, wrote
I'm sure his main brief was tainting the judiciary to support the Government's intended oversight plans, but he was too enthusiastic. Instead of using a subtle approach, he blundered onto the stage waving his trump cards, and confirming the obvious agenda. Ejaculation premature, tch tch for a grown man
Brasco, wrote
Good move !!! Zoomer cannot be allowed to [allegedly] defraud SA any longer ....... His circle of cohorts shrinks ...again !!! We demand a competant human as our next president .
Precious, wrote
Zuma is the worst president SA could ever have imagined having. From his numerous wives and 22 odd kids to his supercilious advice on prevention of Aids. God please help us.
Nono, wrote
Good riddance Heath, you could not just shut up. You will never be half the Mbeki was, leave him alone.
Donga, wrote
What an amazing lack of judgement displayed by Adv Heath! Clearly he brought this skill (?) to his role as legal advisor to Mr Zuma (many dodgy decisions) - better that he serves as a lesson to our current politicians and fades into history.
Anonymous, wrote
This is a real blow for president Zuma,everybody can see that he want legal security during and after his term.He is so desperate that he want to have people who will guarantee his legal protection in any government strategic position.He knows that he might end his political career like Selebi.He makes so many legal wrong decisions.This is one of many.We also don't know how many other wrong decisions he made with his foreign visits.Anyway 2012 is the year of corrections,I know for sure comrades will fix this mess.Once bitten twice shy.This was a mere indication that grade 12 is not enough for presidential position look at ANC youth league and ANC they run country like high school where you surround your self with friends.Next year we either build or destroy the party in Mongaung.
dugsbaws, wrote
Frank Hartry, wrote
His resignation or sacking was inevitable after his absolute gaffe in accusing Mbeki, Squires Ngcuka and others. We can only hope now that Mbeki sues Heath for defamation so that The South Africa can finally establish exactly what went on in the corruption allegations of Zuma who happens to be the president of the country. The two alleged conspiritators have never been charged for any alleged offences yet the strong allegations of corruption were mysteriously withdrawn against Zuma. Typically in South Africa we are treated like children without the right to know. Yet Zuma as a president, because of the withdrawn allegations, continues to be an embarrassment to himself, his country and his ANC. He may infact be innocent of the allegations however.
Jakes, wrote
He just capsized his gravy train , he should have known better and kept quite about the Thabo Mbeki case , poor chap just 2 weeks in office. He did the right thing and resigned. There are others in the ANC who are not doing their jobs properly or are making unnecessary expenditures should resign
tzME, wrote
The basic skill required for a successful CEO is to appointment the best men for the job. Apart from all his other shortcomings, his ability to 'appoint' is abominable!... and his supporters must prove me wrong. CVs to this man are useless! He requires just one criterion to to appoint people. Will this guygal cover my back? I have written repeatedly that Zuma does not have management skills. It is surely time for this embarrassment to be asked, nay, told to resign by both the board and the shareholders. If he does'nt, remove him! We used to chuckle about this... now the man is worse than a joke!
Grimalkin, wrote
WOW! Just how much further down can Zuma go? Isn't it time to call a halt and appoint someone with integrity and ability - not to mention gravitas - to run our Beloved Country? Is the ANC really so ability-challenged that this is the best they can do? I suppose we all thought the right person would come along but we're starting to think there is no 'right person'. The Emperor has no clothes!
jean, wrote
Well, at least he has the grace to resign when 'scandal' attaches to his name. Pity more in ANC high places don't do it.
Anonymous, wrote
He wasnt going to last. Thank you very much Mr Heath for doing a noble thing by resigning on the back of your stupid utterances about the former head of state. go well to pension, ou seun.
Anonymous, wrote
So, when the president does what is right that is deemed as a bid to dispel criticism that he is soft on corruption? By the way, who are these critics that Zuma is failing to convince? I wonder if the president is out to impress or he's simply doing his job! Who are these critics? DA? Well, they never liked him even before he was elected to lead the country! May the Lord be with you President Zuma!
Ringmaster, wrote
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