Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu today called on President Jacob Zuma to reverse the appointment of national prosecutions boss Menzi Simelane, which he described  as  "a setback for the integrity of South Africa's post-apartheid legal system.," 

In the Ginwala Commission of inquiry into whether Simelane's predecessor, Vusi Pikoli, was fit for is position, ANC stalwart Frene  Ginwala said it seemed that Simelane had tried to interfere in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) decision to arrest ex-top cop Jackie Selebi for corruption.

She came to this conclusion after Simelane testified at the hearings. But Justice Minister Jeff Radebe last week said Simelane was never given the opportunity to respond to Ginwala's accusations.

However, Tutu said  "The appointment of one whose ready willingness to act on  a political basis  in a statutory commission does nothing for people's confidence in the law," said Tutu.

The Pretoria Bar Council is currently investigating a complaint against Simelane.

"To witness the professional body of South African advocates - Simelane's peers - considering disbarring him is a national embarrassment. This distresses me deeply," Tutu said.

He said he had raised his objections with Radebe and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe while Zuma was out of the country.

"I now appeal to President Zuma to do the right thing. Since his appointment, he has done much to restore the confidence of South Africans in government. But the appointment of advocate Simelane is an aberration." – Sapa