Heath back as Special Investigating Unit head

President Jacob Zuma has announced the appointment of advocate Willem Heath as the new head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

"The appointment will ease the pressure on Mr Willie Hofmeyr, the Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions, who has headed the SIU in conjunction with his role as head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU)," Zuma said in a statement.

Heath was appointed with immediate effect. Hofmeyr would retain his position at the AFU.

"Under the leadership of Mr Hofmeyr the two units have made a significant contribution in the fight against crime. It has now become necessary to further strengthen our capacity by placing each of these two units under separate commands," said Zuma.

Heath was previously head of the SIU, when he was a judge in the Eastern Cape High Court.

He resigned the position as a result of a Constitutional Court ruling in 2000 which found that the appointment of a judge as head of the SIU was unconstitutional.

He resigned as a judge in 2001, said Zuma.

Heath currently serves as an adviser to Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe and is the CEO of Heath Forensic Investigations.

"We are also happy to welcome Mr Heath back to the SIU," said Zuma.