The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday asked Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula to explain the alleged stand-off between police and the Scorpions over the investigation into police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi.
”The DA would like to request a detailed clarification on what the situation is with regard to the cooperation of the SAPS [South African Police Service] with the Scorpions,” party spokesperson Ryno King said in his letter addressed to Nqakula.
The minister should provide assurance that immediate steps would be taken to ensure that no ”future interference” from any source would be allowed to ”further hamper” the National Prosecution Authority’s (NPA) investigation against Selebi.
King’s letter follows weekend newspaper reports suggesting that acting police national commissioner Tim Williams was not cooperating with the NPA in its investigation into Selebi.
”It has been widely reported that Selebi might escape prosecution due to the deliberate lack of cooperation from the acting national police commissioner and the police in general,” King said.
It was of public interest for the high profile investigation not be hamstrung by the actions of either Williams or any other member of the SAPS, King said.
Williams has denied the claims made in the newspaper report, saying police were cooperating with the NPA. — Sapa