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SA police chief warrant confirmed SA police chief warrant confirmed
(about 3 hours later)
South African prosecutors have confirmed they obtained an arrest and search warrant last month for national police chief Jackie Selebi.South African prosecutors have confirmed they obtained an arrest and search warrant last month for national police chief Jackie Selebi.
But the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the warrants would not be executed until its new acting director had completed a review of the case.But the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the warrants would not be executed until its new acting director had completed a review of the case.
Mr Selebi, the president of Interpol, has been under fire over his friendship with a man accused of murder.Mr Selebi, the president of Interpol, has been under fire over his friendship with a man accused of murder.
The commissioner has denied allegations of links to organised crime.The commissioner has denied allegations of links to organised crime.
Until now, both the NPA and the government had refused to either confirm or deny reports that an arrest warrant existed. The directorate of special operations obtained an arrest warrant for Mr Selebi on 10 September 2007 from the chief magistrate in Randburg NPA statement class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7030458.stm">Controversial police chief Until now, both the NPA and the government had refused to either confirm or deny reports that an arrest warrant existed.
On Thursday, the country's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), asked to see copies of any arrest warrants for the commissioner.On Thursday, the country's main opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), asked to see copies of any arrest warrants for the commissioner.
The party said it believed the case was connected to the suspension of the director of the NPA, Vusi Pikoli, almost two weeks ago.The party said it believed the case was connected to the suspension of the director of the NPA, Vusi Pikoli, almost two weeks ago.
The government says Mr Pikoli was suspended over a breakdown in his working relationship with the justice minister.The government says Mr Pikoli was suspended over a breakdown in his working relationship with the justice minister.
ReviewReview
"Despite its normal policy of not commenting on ongoing investigations, the NPA has decided to issue a statement relating to the investigation involving the national commissioner of the South African Police Service," the NPA said."Despite its normal policy of not commenting on ongoing investigations, the NPA has decided to issue a statement relating to the investigation involving the national commissioner of the South African Police Service," the NPA said.
"The directorate of special operations obtained an arrest warrant for Mr Selebi on 10 September 2007 from the chief magistrate in Randburg.""The directorate of special operations obtained an arrest warrant for Mr Selebi on 10 September 2007 from the chief magistrate in Randburg."
Vusi Pikoli was suspended on 23 SeptemberVusi Pikoli was suspended on 23 September
It was also granted a separate search warrant by a court in Johannesburg on 14 September, it added.It was also granted a separate search warrant by a court in Johannesburg on 14 September, it added.
The statement said the decision to obtain the warrants had been "carefully considered and supported by the senior management of the NPA", including Mr Pikoli.The statement said the decision to obtain the warrants had been "carefully considered and supported by the senior management of the NPA", including Mr Pikoli.
The NPA said its acting director, Mokotedi Mpshe, had decided to review the case and that "this implied that the arrest and search warrants would not be executed pending the outcome of the review".The NPA said its acting director, Mokotedi Mpshe, had decided to review the case and that "this implied that the arrest and search warrants would not be executed pending the outcome of the review".
Earlier this week, the NPA announced that its special unit, the Scorpions, had been running an investigation into Commissioner Selebi.Earlier this week, the NPA announced that its special unit, the Scorpions, had been running an investigation into Commissioner Selebi.
The Scorpions unit was set up in 1999 to operate independently of the South African Police Service to fight organised crime.The Scorpions unit was set up in 1999 to operate independently of the South African Police Service to fight organised crime.
The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says President Thabo Mbeki has come under fire from the country's political opposition over his decision to suspend Mr Pikoli on 23 September.The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says President Thabo Mbeki has come under fire from the country's political opposition over his decision to suspend Mr Pikoli on 23 September.
It now transpires that this was after prosecutors obtained the arrest warrant for Commissioner Selebi, but the government has denied any link between the two events.It now transpires that this was after prosecutors obtained the arrest warrant for Commissioner Selebi, but the government has denied any link between the two events.