Police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi has pledged his full cooperation with a panel of experts named on Friday to review a criminal probe against him.
”As an individual, I will fully cooperate with the members of the panel as announced … by the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority],” Selebi said in a statement.
”The South African Police Service as an organisation will also lend any assistance necessary in order to ensure a thorough, complete and speedy review process.”
The panel would comprise Frank Dutton, advocate Mbuyiseli Madlanga, Peter Goss and advocate Shamila Batohi, said acting NPA head Mokotedi Mpshe earlier in the day.
”The panel was chosen on the basis of expertise they will bring to the process,” he said.
It had been given a month to complete the review, but an extension of this period would be considered if the panel needed more time.
Madlanga is a practising advocate and a former judge president of the Eastern Cape. He is also a member of the Pretoria Bar.
Goss is the director of a forensic services company in Gauteng and was formerly with PriceWaterhouseCoopers and the South African police.
Dutton helped setting up the Directorate of Special Operations (DSO) in 2000, and is presently involved in regular investigative work.
Batohi is director of public prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal and previously headed the DSO in the province.
”They bring a balanced mix of investigative, prosecutorial and judicial skills,” Mpshe said.
”Their broad experience in the criminal justice system and their ability to make independent and well-considered decisions are key to the integrity of this process.”
President Thabo Mbeki suspended NPA director Vusi Pikoli last month, citing a breakdown in the work relationship between him and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Brigitte Mabandla.
This came after Pikoli obtained an arrest warrant for Selebi for alleged criminal activities.
”The mandate of the panel will be to advise … as to the sufficiency of evidence to pursue or institute a criminal prosecution in the matter of the national commissioner of police,” an NPA statement said.
The panel would be provided with all documents and other evidence relevant to the probe against Selebi.
Mpshe said the NPA would not make any further comment on the matter until the review was completed.
”I urge the media and the public to exercise patience and wait for the panel to make its findings available,” he said. — Sapa