The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Wednesday confirmed reports that it had served subpoenas on witnesses in the investigation into suspended police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi.
”The NPA will not provide the names of such persons as it believes that it is their prerogative to do so,” NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said in a statement.
His comments followed a report in the Star that the Scorpions had subpoenaed 12 top police officials, including acting police chief Tim Williams.
They had been given until January 27 to hand over evidence needed to prosecute Selebi, who would stand trial for alleged corruption in three months. According to the newspaper, others subpoenaed included detective services divisional commissioner Rayman Lalla and former detective services head Johan de Beer.
”The NPA has taken note of recent reports in the media regarding the investigation into Mr Jackie Selebi,” Tlali said in the statement.
”Although the NPA does not normally comment on ongoing investigations, it does wish to clarify some aspects of the investigation to avoid confusion.
”Firstly, the NPA can confirm that it applied recently for subpoenas in terms of section 205 of the Criminal Procedure Act for purposes of finalising outstanding aspects of the investigation.
”The subpoenas relate to persons from whom cooperation is sought, and they have been served on them.”
Tlali said the NPA ”strongly” denied a suggestion that acting National Director of Public Prosecutions advocate Mokotedi Mpshe ever ordered a review of the subpoenas.
The Star reported that the subpoenas were issued by Randburg magistrate Stanley Mkhari on December 2 and contained an initial deadline of January 13.
However, before the Scorpions could serve the subpoenas in mid-December, they were ordered to hand them over to Mpshe for review. The deadline in the subpoenas was extended by the court on Monday, according to the newspaper.
The NPA reiterated its commitment to commencing with Selebi’s trial in April as the case had already been placed on the roll of the Johannesburg High Court.
”The NPA will not comment on the other inaccuracies in the media reports,” said Tlali, without mentioning the inaccuracies to which he was referring. — Sapa