Bid to lift 'cloud' over Selebi

2007-12-17 09:29

Johannesburg - Uncertainty over the prosecution of national police commissioner Jackie Selebi was not in anyone's best interest, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Sunday.

It was reacting to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announcement that it had decided whether to prosecute Selebi, but would not make the decision known until it had been studied by Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Brigitte Mabandla.

The DA objected to this, said Safety and Security spokesperson Dianne Kohler-Barnard.

"The cloud hanging over Commissioner Selebi will only be lifted once a decision is taken either to charge him or not," she said.

The NPA and the rule of law would not be moth-balled while Mabandla attended the African National Congress's 52nd national conference in Polokwane, she said.

NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said on Sunday that a decision had been made on whether Selebi "has a case to answer".

A review panel had submitted a report containing its findings to the acting National Director of Public Prosecutions Mokotedi Mpshe, who had made a "final decision" and submitted a report to Mabandla.

"As the Justice Minster is the political head of the ministry which the NPA is part of, there is a legislative requisite to keep the minister informed on matters relating to the business of the NPA," Tlali said.

"This investigation is no exception. Once the Minister is properly and sufficiently familiar with the contents of the report, the decision will be made known."

Selebi was seen at the African National Congress's 52nd national conference in Polokwane on Saturday.

Two warrants against Selebi were cancelled in September this year.

The first was obtained by Scorpions boss Gerrie Nel from the Randburg Chief Magistrate on September 10, for Selebi's arrest for alleged corruption, fraud, racketeering and defeating the ends of justice.

On September 14, a search warrant was obtained from the deputy Judge President of the Witwatersrand Local Division of the High Court in Johannesburg.

Acting NPA head Mokotedi Mpshe had both warrants cancelled shortly after the suspension of NPA head Vusi Pikoli.

This sparked calls from opposition parties for Selebi to step down, and accusations that President Thabo Mbeki was shielding the police chief from prosecution.

Rumours of Selebi's appearance on a new warrant in court in variously, Pretoria, Randburg and Wynberg abounded on Wednesday. However, he did not appear.

At the time, the NPA said it had yet to be decided whether Selebi would be prosecuted, adding that a decision would be made known this week.

Selebi has come under fire over his involvement with drugs kingpin Glenn Agliotti, who is also accused of the murder of mining magnate Brett Kebble.

- SAPA