Former prosecutions boss Vusi Pikoli on Thursday reacted with surprise to the appointment of Menzi Simelane as his successor.

On Wednesday, President Jacob Zuma named the former Justice Department director general as the country’s new National Director of Public Prosecutions, this despite the Ginwala Inquiry into Pikoli’s fitness to hold office making damning findings against him.

“Mr. Pikoli is obviously surprised but he is not prepared to comment any further,” said Pikoli’s lawyer Aslam Moosajee.

The two men clashed fiercely over prosecutorial independence with Simelane believing as director general of Justice, he had authority over the National Prosecuting Authority head.

Simelane even went as far as withholding a legal opinion on the issue.

The new prosecutions boss will struggle to find acceptance at the NPA with several people there telling Eyewitness News they were in mourning and the appointment had knocked the wind out of them.

They said the Silverton headquarters was in a complete state of shock about the decision.

Meanwhile, Simelane’s appointment was roundly condemned by opposition parties.

The Democratic Alliance’s Dene Smuts questioned whether Simelane is fit and proper to hold the office.

“My initial reaction was shock and that shock has not subsided. It is difficult to imagine a more inappropriate choice,” said Smuts.

While, the Independent Democrats said it was clear Zuma ignored Ginwala’s findings. But the African National Congress welcomed the decision.

“Simelane brings to the NPA the necessary experience, legal background and administrative skills to effectively lead the NPA in the fight against crime,” said the ruling party’s Brian Sokutu.

At the same time, Doctor Frene Ginwala told Eyewitness News she stands by her findings regarding Simelane’s conduct during an inquiry she presided over.

In her report, she recommended urgent disciplinary action against him for being dishonest and for misleading the inquiry.

The Public Service Commission was tasked with probing her complaints and reportedly found Simelane should be disciplined but despite this the Justice minister cleared him of any wrongdoing, allowing Zuma to appoint him as NDPP.