Police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi’s office has rejected claims that police regulations require Selebi’s suspension while allegations against him are being investigated.
Selebi’s spokesperson Director Sally de Beer said on Tuesday a Freedom Front Plus (FF+) statement in this regard was incorrect, as South African Police Service (SAPS) regulations are not applicable to the national commissioner.
“Matters pertaining to the national commissioner, in this context, are regulated by the South African Police Service Act,” De Beer said.
Earlier on Tuesday, FF+ MP Pieter Groenewald said it appeared from an answer to a parliamentary question provided by Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula last year that regulations required Selebi’s suspension during a probe of allegations against him.
De Beer said the response to the question in Parliament related to any investigation by the SAPS into the alleged misconduct of a member of the SAPS.
“The SAPS is not conducting an investigation into the national commissioner, which means that the statement of the FF+ is completely incorrect,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has reportedly brushed aside a recommendation by acting national director of public prosecutions Mokotedi Mpshe that Selebi take special leave pending the review of the Scorpions’ case against him.
Independent Newspapers on Tuesday quoted President Thabo Mbeki’s spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga as saying the comment was “directed at the police commissioner and not at the Presidency”.
Mpshe, who is currently putting together a panel of four legal experts to help him review the case against Selebi, suggested Selebi step aside during this time, saying: “It will be advisable for him to step aside, be it special leave or other.”
In response, Selebi said he knew nothing about it and asked to be left alone.
Mpshe is expected to announce the names of the legal experts to help him in the review on Friday.
South Africa has been thrown into a political crisis after it emerged that Mbeki suspended National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) chief Vusi Pikoli days after the NPA obtained arrest and search warrants for Selebi.
The revelations appeared to discredit the presidency’s initial explanation that Pikoli was suspended because of “an irretrievable breakdown” in his working relationship with Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Brigitte Mabandla.
The affair has also raised questions about Mbeki’s relationship with the country’s top cop — Selebi is also the head of Interpol — who has been accused of being cosy with criminals.
The NPA last week confirmed that it had obtained two warrants against Selebi prior to Pikoli’s suspension on September 23. It also revealed that Mpshe had cancelled the warrant for Selebi’s arrest pending his review of the case against the police commissioner.