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Top cops angry, backing Selebi
06/12/2006 19:35 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The nine provincial police commissioners expressed anger and disgust on Wednesday at media allegations that national police commissioner Jackie Selebi is linked to criminal activity.
National police spokesperson Selby Bokaba said the commissioners met on Tuesday with the national prosecuting authority for clarity as the allegations against Selebi were beginning to undermine confidence within the police service.
The commissioners discussed their "collective concern about media coverage of the scurrilous, defamatory and unsubstantiated allegations levelled against Selebi", said Bokaba.
It has been alleged in media reports that Selebi was a friend of Kebble murder accused Glenn Agliotti and that he had been aware of a criminal investigation against Agliotti for the past four years.
Constant leaking of affidavits
The meeting was prompted by "boiling anger" at various provincial offices, particularly from experienced investigators who understand the traditional methodology of conducting investigations, said Bokaba.
"They (commissioners) were appalled by the constant leaking of affidavits which were supposed to be in the safekeeping of an investigating agency, but mysteriously found their way to the media."
Bokaba said the commissioners were satisfied with the outcome of the meeting with the NPA on Tuesday at which management assured police that they dissociated themselves from the "individual peddling the allegations", as the man was neither the NPA's registered source, nor was he an employee.
Leading from the front
The commissioners at the meeting, which was held without Selebi's knowledge or permission, also pledged their unwavering support for the national police commissioner.
"While the detractors of the national commissioner will be holidaying, he will be leading his charges (police officers) from the front as he has been doing since he assumed the reigns of the SAPS," said Bokaba.
- SAPA
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