Mbeki's integrity at stake - Zille

2007-09-28 12:04

Cape Town - President Thabo Mbeki must say whether a warrant was issued for the arrest of national police commissioner, Jackie Selebi, Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille said on Friday.

Reports that the National Prosecuting Authority had obtained such a warrant put Mbeki's suspension of NPA head Vusi Pikoli, on Monday this week, "in a disturbing new light", she said in her weekly on-line newsletter.

Earlier, the Cape Times quoted "well-placed sources" as saying the Scorpions, the investigative unit that reports directly to Pikoli, had plans for at least three months to arrest Selebi, but backed off after "intervention" by top government officials.

Further, that Pikoli "had obtained a warrant of arrest against Selebi a week ago".

It was also understood, the newspaper said, that on Sunday last week "the Scorpions tried to carry out a raid related to their investigations into Selebi, but were thwarted by the highest levels of government".

There have been repeated allegations that Selebi - who is also head of Interpol - is linked to figures connected with crime syndicates.

'Profound constitutional implications'

Zille said the seriousness of the situation should not be underestimated.

"We are entering a phase in our democracy where the most serious questions, with profound constitutional implications, are being asked about the conduct of the president and the national police commissioner. The president needs to take the nation into his confidence."

The latest reports needed to be either confirmed or emphatically denied as a matter of great urgency, she said.

On Pikoli's axing, Zille said the 1998 National Prosecuting Authority Act specified a limited number of reasons for suspending or firing a national director, including misconduct, ill health, incapacity, or the fact that he is no longer a fit and proper person to fill the position.

"None of these reasons have been advanced. President Mbeki has only spoken about 'a breakdown' in the working relationship between... Pikoli and the Minister of Justice [Brigitte Mabandla]. At face value, this reason does not comply with the act, and the president has chosen to give no more detail."

Zille said the latest development cast "serious aspersions on the integrity of the president".

"In the absence of credible reasons for suspending Pikoli, this step adds fuel to the belief that the president will take whatever steps he deems necessary, no matter what damage they may do to our state institutions, to protect his close allies... .

"In the absence of clear and concrete information, the deluge of rumours and counter-rumours will continue.

"The onus is now on the president, the NPA and the SA Police Service to either confirm or deny that a warrant had been issued and the matter be resolved in the interests of the nation as a whole," she said.

- SAPA