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NPA: no comment on Selebi
27/09/2007 19:48 - (SA)
Johannesburg - A warrant of arrest has been issued for national police chief and Interpol head Jackie Selebi, the SABC reported on Thursday.
The state broadcaster said it had "reliably learnt" that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) obtained the warrant last week.
"Sources say the warrant was secured on Thursday last week by NPA head Vusi Pikoli before his suspension," the SABC said.
"Sources close to SABC news have also revealed that the warrant is accompanied by a search-and-seizure document obtained from the Pretoria High Court."
A Pretoria High Court official said she was in the process of checking if a search-and-seizure warrant had been issued by the court.
Registrar of the urgent court Willie van Zyl said, when asked about the warrant: "I know of no such thing". No comment from NPA
President Thabo Mbeki suspended Pikoli on Monday, citing an irretrievable breakdown in the relationship between Pikoli and Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla.
NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali would not comment on the SABC report late on Thursday afternoon.
"That is the SABC's story. We can't comment," he said.
National police spokesperson Director Sally de Beer told Sapa: "I have been with him (Selebi) all day. He has certainly not been arrested. I just spoke to him and he knows nothing about it."
Sources close to SABC news had also revealed that the warrant was accompanied by a search-and-seizure document obtained from the Pretoria High Court.
A search-and-seizure warrant could be issued by a judge in chambers - and not necessarily in an open court. Such a document could also be obtained without giving the subject notice.
SABC said it had approached four NPA officials for comment on the issue of the warrants.
National Scorpions chief Leonard McCarthy and Gauteng head of the Scorpions Gerhard Nel refused to either confirm or deny that the warrants had been obtained.
Pikoli himself referred all enquiries to acting NPA head Mokotedi Mpshe. Links with crime syndicates
The Cape Argus reported on Tuesday that an inquiry into Selebi would be Mbeki's second major step following Pikoli's suspension.
It was believed Mbeki was about to order an inquiry into allegations that Selebi, also the head of Interpol, had links with crime syndicates, the paper said.
The African Christian Democratic Party said there had been rumours "for years" about Selebi's links to Brett Kebble murder accused Glenn Agliotti.
"There have been rumours for years about Jackie Selebi's links to Glenn Agliotti and organised crime. Perhaps an investigation will finally answer those questions," said ACDP deputy president Jo-Ann Downs.
Selebi has said that he had never denied knowing and befriending Agliotti.
"I have never denied knowing Glenn Agliotti. "Never, and I have always said that I know him and always said when the opportunity arises we meet for social talk about anything and everything," Selebi told the SABC in an interview in 2006.
The Mail&Guardian has previously reported on Agliotti's alleged links to organised crime syndicates. Selebi was told in 2002 about Agliotti's involvement in a R105m Mandrax bust.
Agliotti was arrested in November 2006 for the murder of controversial mining magnate Kebble. Kebble was shot dead on the night of 28 September 2005. Selebi should step down - DA
The Democratic Alliance said that if a warrant had indeed been issued, it was because the state believed it had a prima facie case against Selebi.
"If a warrant has been issued two things need to happen. "One, Commissioner Selebi should step down from his position with immediate effect, and two, President Mbeki needs to personally explain why he did not disclose this information to the public when he justified his decision (to suspend Pikoli)," said DA spokesperson on safety and security Dianne Kohler Barnard.
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