Still no word on Selebi

2008-01-02 14:15

Johannesburg - The public on Wednesday were still being kept in the dark on the fate of South Africa's national police commissioner, Jackie Selebi.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on December 16 said it had made a decision on whether or not Selebi "had a case to answer".

However, the decision would not be made public until it was studied by justice and constitutional development minister, Brigitte Mabandla.

"The status has not changed... we haven't received any communication (from the minister)," said NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali on Wednesday.

The decision was made after the NPA received a report from a panel tasked with reviewing the criminal charges against the national police commissioner and current head of Interpol - the world's largest international police organisation.

On Wednesday Mabandla's spokesperson, Zolile Nqayi said he was not aware of whether the minister had studied the report yet. She was still on leave, he said.

When asked about the report during the African National Congress' 52nd National Conference last month, Mabandla said: "No comment. I do not talk about those things."

'Keep minister informed'

NPA acting head Mokotedi Mpshe prepared and submitted a report to the minister on his decision on whether or not Selebi would be charged after studying the findings made by the review panel.

"As the justice minister 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 in December.

"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 has come under fire over his involvement with convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti, who is also accused of the murder of mining magnate Brett Kebble.

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.

'Irretrievable breakdown'

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

Mpshe had both warrants cancelled shortly after taking the reigns from suspended NPA boss, Vusi Pikoli.

Pikoli was suspended in September due to an "irretrievable breakdown" in the relationship between him and the justice minister.

- SAPA