Call to see Selebi arrest warrant

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South Africa's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), has asked to see copies of any arrest warrants for police chief Jackie Selebi.

For weeks local South African media has been speculating that an arrest warrant has been issued for Mr Selebi.

Both the government and the National Prosecuting Authority have refused either to confirm or deny the reports.

The DA believes the case is connected to the suspension of the director of the National Prosecuting Authority.

The party has lodged an application under the Access to Information Act to clear the matter up.

Under the act, the government has to hand over the information provided it does not breach the individual's right to privacy, is not commercially sensitive, and does not compromise national security.

DA spokesman Martin Slabert admitted that on that last count, they could well have the application turned down.

He said that was why the second part of their application is to at least confirm the warrants' existence.

Political interference?

The DA says this issue lies at the heart of the row over the president's decision to suspend National Prosecuting Authority director Vusi Pikoli almost two weeks ago.

Pikoli was suspended last week, reportedly while investigating Selebi

The government says the director was suspended over a breakdown in his working relationship with the justice minister.

There were reports of disagreement betwen Vusi Pikoli and Brigitte Mabandla over the role of the NPA and the Scorpions in the prosecution of former Deputy President Jacob Zuma on charges of corruption.

But BBC correspondent Peter Greste says there are suspicions of political interference.

An inquiry into the suspended director's fitness to hold office is due to begin shortly.