Acting National Prosecution Authority boss Moketedi Mpshe has defended President Thabo Mbeki against suggestions that he lied about not being informed about the probe on police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Friday.
African Christian Democratic Party leader Kenneth Meshoe said in Parliament this week, that in the light of information contained in a court document, there were ”grave allegations that went to the heart of the president’s integrity”, it said.
President Mbeki responded to Meshoe’s attack on Thursday.
”… I noticed that the Hon Rev Meshoe decided to quote part of what I have said about the alleged criminal culpability of the [police] National Commissioner.
”For reasons I do not understand, he did not mention the fact that I also said that the National Prosecuting Authority approached me some time ago as President of the Republic, to inform me that they had received claims about alleged criminal misconduct implicating the National Commissioner of Police,” said Mbeki during a debate on his State of the Nation address.
Mpshe reportedly told the station during an interview that Mbeki did confirm he was informed about the Selebi probe last year, but demanded evidence before he could act against Selebi. – Sapa