A warrant of arrest has been issued for police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, the South African Broadcasting Corporation 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.”
President Thabo Mbeki suspended Pikoli on Monday, citing an irretrievable breakdown in the relationship between Pikoli and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development 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.
He said Mbeki was en route from New York and would be landing in South Africa on Thursday night or early on Friday.
A Pretoria High Court official said she was continuing to check if a search-and-seizure warrant had been issued by the court, adding that it was ”very funny” that none of the judges she had spoken to by 7.30pm were aware of any warrants regarding Selebi.
National police spokesperson Director Sally de Beer told the South African Press Association: ”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.”
The 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.
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.
Clearing the air
A source told the Argus Mbeki was keen to clear the air about Selebi, whom he has been seen to be protecting since the syndicate allegations arose.
Selebi has denied having links to shadowy individuals who, in turn, have been linked to murdered businessman Brett Kebble.
The Argus said it understood that a file, compiled by a private security company on behalf of the Scorpions, was to be handed over to acting national director of public prosecutions Mokotedi Mpshe — who took over from Pikoli.
According to the sources, Mbeki acted against Pikoli because of his failure to control the Scorpions, the Argus said.
On November 9 last year, Mbeki rejected a call by the Freedom Front Plus for a judicial commission of inquiry into claims against Selebi. The allegations related to suggestions of a relationship between South Africa’s top cop and businessman Glenn Agliotti, who was arrested in November for the murder of mining magnate Brett Kebble.
Mbeki said at the time he was certain Selebi would continue to work with the diligence, dedication and selflessness he had shown since his appointment — Sapa