/ 12 October 2007

Selebi review panel named

The names of the panel expected to review the case against police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi were released on Friday.

The Acting National Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Moktedi Mpshe, said the panel would be made up of Frank Dutton, advocate Mbuyiseli Madlanga, Peter Goss and advocate Shamila Batohi.

”The panel was chosen on the basis of expertise they will bring to the process,” Mpshe said.

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 forensic services in Gauteng and was formerly with PricewaterhouseCoopers and the South African police.

Dutton was instrumental in setting up the Directorate of Special Operations (DSO) in 2000 and is presently involved in regular investigative work.

Batohi is the 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. 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,” Mpshe said.

President Thabo Mbeki suspended director of the National Prosecuting Authority Vusi Pikoli on September 23 on the basis of an irreparable breakdown of the work relationship between him and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development Brigitte Mabandla.

This came after Pikoli had obtained an arrest warrant for Selebi. — Sapa