Johannesburg — LOBBYING for the country's top jobs in the criminal justice system and political oversight has started, although these posts -- national director of public prosecutions, national police commissioner and public protector -- are not likely to be filled in the immediate future.

While former National Prosecutions Authority (NPA) head Vusi Pikoli is contesting his dismissal in court, the contract of national police commissioner Jackie Selebi, who is on special leave, ends next month, and Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana's term in office ends in October.

It is President Jacob Zuma's prerogative to make all three appointments. His administration has to clean up the chaos in the NPA and the police and restore credibility to these institutions in order to strengthen the fight against crime and corruption. Moreover, the public protector, a public office watchdog, has long been seen as toothless -- a message that goes against the African National Congress's (ANC's) promise to fortify chapter nine institutions.

On the NPA, Zuma's hands are tied until the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria rules on the validity of Vusi Pikoli's axing. The names of possible replacements punted in political circles include those of Mushwana, acting NPA head Mokotedi Mpshe and deputy national director of public prosecutions Willie Hofmeyr.

Meanwhile, Hofmeyr is also being touted as a possible head of the new Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, which will replace the scrapped Scorpions. It is understood that lawyer Peter Harris is also a possible candidate for the post. Harris, who was seconded to the National Peace Accord in the early 1990s, has also worked as an election operations expert in SA , Mexico and Haiti.

Presidential spokesman Thabo Masebe said yesterday the appointment of a new NPA head was not being discussed at this stage.

While some ANC leaders in KwaZulu-Natal are lobbying for former safety and security MEC Bheki Cele to replace Selebi, the police's head of detectives, Ray Lala, and former ANC chief whip Nathi Ntleko are also understood to be in the running.

Police ministry spokesman Panyaza Lesufi said discussing names was merely speculation at this point.

"We've not started the first phase yet and we still need to decide whether to extend the police commissioner's contract. Only once that matter is resolved can we begin the process of discussing candidates," he said.

Political sources say acting police commissioner Tim Williams, who has repeatedly butted heads with Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa over his call for a permanent replacement for Selebi, appears unlikely to hold onto the top job. Selebi is due to go on trial in October accused of fraud and corruption linked to organised crimes.