Call to expand Pikoli probe

2007-10-06 07:55

Johannesburg - The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) has called for a broader political inquiry into the suspension of the director of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), advocate Vusi Pikoli.

"This has now become more urgent than ever and we demand that the inquiry into the suspension of Vusi Pikoli look at the broader political questions concerning the role of the NPA, the Scorpions and other state agencies, to check that they are acting within the constitution and subject to proper democratic accountability," spokesperson Patrick Craven said on Friday.

Craven said they were concerned at media reports quoting sources in high places that suggested that the real reason for the suspension of Pikoli related to the issuing of a warrant against National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi.

"If these allegations are true then we face a major constitutional crisis in the country and this would be a vindication of what we have always believed," he said.

"Now that it has been officially confirmed that indeed a warrant for Selebi was obtained on 14th September, our worst fears have been confirmed and Cosatu believes we have a serious crisis".

The NPA confirmed on Friday in a statement that acting National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Mokotedi Mpshe has cancelled arrest and search warrants for Jackie Selebi.

The NPA said in a statement it would like "to clarify the status of the arrest and search warrants".

It said the Scorpions had obtained an arrest warrant for Selebi on September 10 from the Chief Magistrate in Randburg.

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

"The decision to obtain these warrants was carefully considered and supported by the senior management of the NPA, including the [suspended] NDPP, Vusi Pikoli," the statement said.

However, upon his appointment as acting NDPP, Mpshe decided to "conduct a review of the matter".

He briefed both the justice department director general and officials from the presidency about his initial assessment.

On September 28, Mpshe "decided that it would be prudent to make an application for the cancellation of the arrest and search warrants, pending the outcome of his reconsideration of the decision", the statement said.

Mpshe approached the Randburg Magistrates' Court and the magistrate agreed to the cancellation of the arrest warrant.

He also approached the Deputy Judge President who indicated he was not prepared to retract the warrant.

"Pending the outcome of the review process, we won't be taking action on this warrant," said NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali.

The NPA emphasised it would continue with the ongoing investigation relating to Selebi and that it would announce a decision as soon as the review had been completed.

President Thabo Mbeki suspended Pikoli on September 23 on the basis of an irreparable work relation between him and Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla.

Mbeki appointed former parliamentary speaker Frene Ginwala to investigate whether Pikoli is fit for office.

- SAPA