'We cried in that meeting'

2008-07-02 12:10

Johannesburg - National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli and National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi wept together at a meeting during which Pikoli questioned him about criminal allegations against him, Pikoli said on Wednesday.

Testifying at the Ginwala commission hearings in Johannesburg on his fitness to hold office, Pikoli said: "My meeting of the 11th (November 2006) was not an easy meeting for discussions with the national commissioner.

"Because, there I was, sitting with the national commissioner. I have known him from my days in exile, I worked closely with him when I was director-general of justice and now I had to ask him difficult questions based on allegations against him.

"I asked him about money he was supposed to have received and channelled through several accounts," Pikoli said.

"He denied (it) and he was convincing. At the time I believed him. I cried in that meeting. He cried in that meeting. For me it was a cry of relief because I never believed that he could be facing accusations of that nature.

"We cried on each other's shoulders in that meeting and I told him that I believed him when he said he never received the money."

Pikoli began his testimony by saying he had not been suspended on September 23 last year because of a breakdown in relations with Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla, but because he was ordered to stop the investigation into Selebi.

Selebi, who is on special leave, has made two court appearances in relation to allegations that he received money from drug trafficker and Brett Kebble murder accused Glenn Agliotti.

- SAPA