The nine provincial police commissioners on Wednesday expressed anger and disgust at ongoing media allegations that police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi is linked to criminal activity.
Speaking on behalf of the provincial commissioners, Western Cape Commissioner Mzwandile Petros said the commissioners met on Tuesday with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for clarity as the allegations against Selebi were beginning to undermine confidence within the police service.
The commissioners discussed their “collective concern about the media coverage of the scurrilous, defamatory and unsubstantiated allegations levelled against Selebi”, said Petros in a media statement.
It has been alleged in media reports that Selebi was a friend of Kebble murder accused Glenn Agliotti and that he had been aware of a criminal investigation against Agliotti for the past four years.
The meeting was prompted by “boiling anger” at various provincial offices, particularly from experienced investigators who understand the traditional methodology of conducting investigations, said Petros.
“They [the commissioners] were appalled by the constant leaking of affidavits, which were supposed to be in the safekeeping of an investigating agency, but mysteriously found [their] way to the media.”
Petros said the commissioners were satisfied with the outcome of the meeting with the NPA on Tuesday after NPA management assured police that they dissociated themselves from the “individual peddling the allegations”, as the man was neither the NPA’s registered source nor was he an employee.
The commissioners at the meeting, which was held without Selebi’s knowledge or permission, also pledged their unwavering
support for the national police commissioner.
“While the detractors of the national commissioner will be holidaying, he will be leading his charges [police officers] from the front as he has been doing since he assumed the reigns of the South African Police Service,” said Petros.
Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon formally asked President Thabo Mbeki this week to appoint a tribunal in terms of the Police Act to investigate the allegations against Selebi.
“I am of the firm belief that unless such a tribunal is appointed, government’s commitment to fighting crime as well as South Africa’s international standing will be compromised,” Leon said on Tuesday.
In a letter to Mbeki, Leon said: “I write in respect of the growing disquiet expressed across the length and breadth of South Africa with regard to the conduct of National Police Commissioner Mr Jackie Selebi, and to respectfully request that you establish a board of inquiry to investigate the serious allegations made against him.”
Over the past month, a series of very disturbing allegations had surfaced, which pointed to Selebi being guilty, at best, of inappropriate conduct, or of having inappropriate relationships with known criminals.
“At worst, the commissioner is possibly guilty of wrongdoing,” Leon said.
“I respectfully submit that there is an urgent need for such an inquiry, for as long as the allegations of this nature continue to surface and remain unanswered, the office of the National Commissioner will remain compromised — to the great detriment not only of the image of the police, but also of the national fight against crime.”
You first read about it in the M&G
Over nearly six months, while it ran a series of articles about a crime syndicate associated with slain mining magnate Brett Kebble and police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, the Mail & Guardian was a voice crying in the media wilderness. The arrest of Glenn Agliotti vindicates the M&G‘s multipart exposé:
May 26: Jackie Selebi’s shady Kebble links
The M&G revealed that Selebi was “linked to shadowy figures” Agliotti and Clint Nassif, who worked with Kebble on security and other projects, and that it was “highly likely” that the Scorpions were investigating this network and Selebi’s links to it. We also reported that Agliotti phoned Selebi soon after Kebble’s murder, and that Agliotti and Kebble had been in phone contact 24 hours earlier, when the latter was close to the murder scene. Agliotti and Selebi insisted there was nothing untoward about their call.
June 2: Commissioner did visit Kebble
We detailed Agliotti’s involvement in R18-million fraudulent cobalt deals and his life as a bigamist. We also confirmed Selebi visited Kebble’s home — despite his earlier denial.
July 14: Kebble link in huge drug bust
We reported the Scorpions’ arrest of five alleged syndicate members on charges of smuggling hashish and dagga worth up to R200-million, in a move linked to a wider investigation of Agliotti and his company. We also detailed a contraband tobacco deal involving some of the same actors, and how a crooked cop involved in the deal boasted of taking Selebi’s orders.
July 28: Arrests: Agliotti is next
We identified Agliotti as “the Landlord”, described by the Scorpions in court as among “the syndicate bosses who tend not to get their hands dirty, but manage their enterprises from a distance”. We also examined Agliotti and Selebi’s friendship — Selebi had originally described Agliotti as “my friend, finish and klaar“, but was now backtracking.
August 4: ‘Landlord gave order to kidnap’
We further described Agliotti’s alleged involvement with the syndicate, including claims that he had a syndicate member locked in a container.
September 22: Scorpions raid Agliotti
We reported that the Scorpions had raided Agliotti’s home and business, and that the warrant indicated they were interested in the syndicate’s links with police and Palto, a shady undercover operation linked to Selebi that freelanced for police.
September 29: Selebi, Agliotti and the dirty cops
We expanded on Palto’s role and Selebi’s downplaying of his ties with Palto head Paul Stemmet.
October 27: Kebble’s security boss nabbed
We reported the arrest of Nassif, Agliotti’s friend and former Kebble security adviser, as part of the Scorpions’ larger investigation. We said “Nassif’s arrest could blow the case wide open … he could turn state witness”.
November 3: Kebble murder: The noose tightens
We named the Scorpions’ investigation into the criminal network surrounding Kebble — project “Bad Guys”. The investigation encompassed conspiracy to murder, (the Kebble) murder, corruption (Selebi’s alleged receipt of syndicate money, which he denies), drug trafficking and organised crime (including the July drug bust). We reported claims that Nassif interfered with the Kebble murder probe by moving Kebble’s car to a panel-beater and tried to get it cleaned.
November 10: Inside the Selebi dossier
We described how former airport security boss Paul O’Sullivan, on a mission to expose Selebi, contributed to the Scorpions probe. Selebi has accused O’Sullivan of engineering a “smear” against him.
November 17: Kebble arrest: What now for Selebi?
The arrest of Agliotti on suspicion of murdering Kebble has opened perhaps the biggest can of worms in South Africa’s criminal history. The arrest could have grave implications for Selebi.