/ 20 August 2007

NPA following up on ANC file mystery

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was on Monday trying to verify a weekend media report claiming that files on African National Congress (ANC) leaders who had been denied amnesty were languishing in a police safe. ''We're still following up to check the source of the story,'' said Scorpions spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was on Monday trying to verify a weekend media report claiming that files on African National Congress (ANC) leaders who had been denied amnesty were languishing in a police safe.

”We’re still following up to check the source of the story,” said Scorpions spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi. ”We’re going to check if it’s correct and we will issue comment later today.”

According to Sunday’s Rapport newspaper, files on 37 ANC leaders who were denied amnesty for apartheid crimes had been locked up for years in a safe at the head office of the police’s detective services. The newspaper quoted ”impeccable sources”.

The leaders include President Thabo Mbeki, ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma, police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, former director general of correctional services Linda Mti and Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad.

According to Rapport, advocate Anton Ackermann had instructed police in writing to gather more evidence with a view to possible prosecution.

Police spokesperson Director Phuti Setati said he knew nothing of the matter and could thus not comment. — Sapa