'Mbeki stopped Selebi arrest'
2007-09-28 07:27
Johannesburg - The Scorpions have been planning to arrest national police chief and Interpol head Jackie Selebi for at least three months, it was reported on Friday.
"Scorpion investigators were planning to arrest Selebi as long as three months ago, but, following interventions by President Thabo Mbeki, they backed off," said The Star.
The newspaper reported that Mbeki convened a "mediation meeting" between Pikolo and Selebi after a stand-off between the commissioner and Scorpions.
Apparently Mbeki was brought in after Selebi refused the Scorpions access to SA police Crime Intelligence Unit-held files and documents.
"This past Sunday, the Scorpions again allegedly tried to conduct a raid at various premises related to their probe of Selebi, but again they were thwarted from doing so by the highest level of government," said The Star.
Organised crime, Kebble links
The newspaper said several sources had told them Selebi was being investigated for charges including several organised crime activities as well as crimes linked to people allegedly connected to mining magnate Brett Kebble's murder.
On Thursday, the SABC reported that a warrant of arrest had been issued for Selebi.
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."
The Star reported on Friday that acting NPA head Mokotedi Mpshe had neither confirmed or denied the existence of the warrant.
Mpshe apparently told the paper "I can't comment, I can't say we do or we don't".
On Thursday 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."
She added: "He [Selebi] is concentrating on his work. That's what he's there to do."
Mbeki suspended Pikoli on Monday, citing an irretrievable breakdown in the relationship between Pikoli and Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla.
Inquiry into Selebi
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.
Mbeki was scheduled to return to South Africa overnight following his visit to the UN.
African Christian Democratic Party deputy president Jo-Ann Downs said "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".
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.
Prima facie case against Selebi
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.
On Thursday ID president Patricia de Lille said: "The speculation about why NPA National Director Vusi Pikoli was suspended could be reaching an end now that we have heard that a warrant of arrest has been issued for Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi.
"The pieces of the puzzle are beginning to come together."
On Friday, The Star reported that Cabinet had held an unscheduled meeting in Pretoria to discuss the suspension of Pikoli.
The paper said Thursday's apparent meeting was the second high-profile meeting it was aware of, after SA's top security and defence chiefs met earlier this week to discuss the implications of the suspension.
- SAPA