Hours after he suspends Scorpions boss, Mbeki sets sights on top cop

Hot on the heels of his suspension of Scorpions boss Vusi Pikoli, President Thabo Mbeki is to act against South Africa's top policeman, Commissioner Jackie Selebi.

It is believed Mbeki is about to order an inquiry into allegations that Selebi, also the head of Interpol, has links with crime syndicates.

Several independent sources have told Cape Argus that the inquiry into the claims against Selebi would be Mbeki's second major step following Pikoli's suspension, which was announced yesterday.

The third step would be an investigation into private companies owned by apartheid-era security operators and contracted by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Scorpions to do small and large scale investigations.

A source told the Cape Argus that Mbeki was eager to clear the air about Selebi, whom he has been seen to be protecting since the allegations surfaced.

Selebi has vehemently denied links to shadowy individuals, who, in turn, have been linked to slain businessman Brett Kebble.

Cape Argus understands that a file, compiled by a private security company on behalf of the Scorpions, is to be handed over to the acting National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Mokotedi Mpshe.

Mpshe will then take a decision on whether there is a prima facie case against Selebi.

If there is, a full independent investigation will be ordered. The probe would be headed by a judge because both the SAPS and the Scorpions would be unsuitable given that Selebi heads the SAPS, and the Scorpions' credibility is in question following Pikoli's suspension.

Sources have said that Pikoli was suspended by Mbeki because of his failure to control the Scorpions.

Impeccable sources have told Cape Argus Mbeki took action against Pikoli because the Scorpions had been found to have engaged in illegal intelligence-gathering activities that led to the Browse Report, which claimed that ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma's campaign to lead the party was being funded by African heads of state.

The report said Zuma was being financed by Angola's President Eduardo Dos Santos and Libya's President Muammar Gaddafi. It also claims uMkonto weSizwe veterans are planning a coup d'état.

The Cape Argus has been reliably told that the source of the Browse Report was a private sec The Cape Argus understands the security company in question was the same company that was granted permission by the Scorpions to raid the SAPS crime intelligence offices in Pretoria, but was stopped from doing so.

Mbeki's action against Pikoli is being seen as a response to Zuma's supporters, who have claimed state institutions were being used to prevent the ANC deputy from becoming the nation's next president.

Sources say Pikoli was warned many times, and his failure to comply forced Mbeki to act.

"He was warned and he allowed the situation to continue, leaving the authorities with no option," said a source.

Pikoli is the fourth security official forced to step aside under Mbeki's rule.

His predecessor, Bulelani Ngcuka, resigned under a cloud. NIA director-general Billy Masetlha was suspended and then fired by Mbeki.

He is contesting his dismissal in court. Finally, the head of the South African Defence Force, Siphiwe Nyanda, resigned to join the business world, although many believe he was pushed.

The Cape Argus understands Pikoli is also in trouble because he failed to inform his boss Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla about the illegal operations of the Scorpions.

"He allowed to Scorpions to operate outside the law and undermined the minister by failing to inform her," said one source.urity company contracted by the Scorpions. The Cape Argus cannot at this stage name the security company, which is owned by security officials from the apartheid era.

The Scorpions are not allowed to conduct any intelligence operations. Only the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), its units and the SAPS crime intelligence units are legally allowed to do so.

Sources say the Scorpions also breached national security, providing private companies access to information that was meant only for the eyes of state security officials.

The Cape Argus understands the security company in question was the same company that was granted permission by the Scorpions to raid the SAPS crime intelligence offices in Pretoria, but was stopped from doing so.

Mbeki's action against Pikoli is being seen as a response to Zuma's supporters, who have claimed state institutions were being used to prevent the ANC deputy from becoming the nation's next president.

Sources say Pikoli was warned many times, and his failure to comply forced Mbeki to act.

"He was warned and he allowed the situation to continue, leaving the authorities with no option," said a source.

Pikoli is the fourth security official forced to step aside under Mbeki's rule.

His predecessor, Bulelani Ngcuka, resigned under a cloud. NIA director-general Billy Masetlha was suspended and then fired by Mbeki.

He is contesting his dismissal in court. Finally, the head of the South African Defence Force, Siphiwe Nyanda, resigned to join the business world, although many believe he was pushed.

The Cape Argus understands Pikoli is also in trouble because he failed to inform his boss Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla about the illegal operations of the Scorpions.

"He allowed to Scorpions to operate outside the law and undermined the minister by failing to inform her," said one source.

With acknowledgement to Cape Argus.