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Scorpions deny Selebi 'raid'
25/05/2007 10:42 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The Scorpions have denied searching National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi's office or obtaining a warrant to do so, their spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi said on Friday.
This follows a report in the Beeld newspaper on Friday that Selebi's office was searched as part of an investigation by the Scorpions into the police chief's alleged involvement in crime.
"I deny that a search was done in Selebi's office two weeks ago."
He could however not be drawn to comment on whether the Scorpions were investigating Selebi or had an intention to do so in future.
"I cannot comment on that."
Selebi's spokesperson, Director Sally de Beer, also denied the search.
"This has simply never happened and I completely reject as untrue the claim made in Beeld today that our offices were searched and items seized," she said.
Despite this, Beeld reported that they had information from two independent and "reliable" sources that the Scorpions obtained search warrants and swooped on Selebi's office a fortnight ago.
The raid, which was connected to allegations of corruption, fraud, drug smuggling and money laundering, has remained a well-kept secret, the paper reported.
This emanates from Selebi's friendship with Glenn Agliotti, the only accused in the Brett Kebble murder case.
The friendship between the two was revealed by the Mail & Guardian last year.
At the time, Selebi insisted that he was innocent and that he had no knowledge of Agliotti's alleged involvement in crime.
"He (Agliotti) is my friend, 'finish and klaar'", Selebi told the paper at the time.
Agliotti was also fingered by the Scorpions in an international drug smuggling case involving R250m in January this year, further raising questions of the police chief's friendship with him.
So far, the government has backed Selebi and the Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula said last year if people could produce evidence against Selebi, he would take action against him.
Beeld reported that a number of documents and computer material were seized during the supposed raid.
Possible evidence of money having paid to Selebi could also have been removed during the raid, the paper speculated.
The Mail & Guardian reported two weeks ago that the Scorpion's net was tightening around Selebi and that he was likely to be charged soon.
- SAPA
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