Publication: Sapa
Issued: Johannesburg
Date: 2008-01-08
Reporter: Democratic Alliance
|
DA
Demands Selebi's Suspension in The Face of NPA Charges |
| Publication |
Sapa
BC-PR-DA-SELEBI-SUSPENSION
|
| Issued |
Democratic Alliance |
| Date |
2008-01-11
|
Issued by: Democratic Alliance (DA)
Attention: News Editors
For immediate release:
11 January 2008
The Democratic Alliance demands the immediate suspension of National Police
Commissioner Jackie Selebi. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has
detailed the extensive corruption charges that Selebi faces and it indicated
that it will proceed with prosecuting him, pending the outcome of Selebi's court
application.
South Africa's international reputation now teeters on the brink of
irredeemable infamy *1. The turf war between the
SAPS and the NPA has now reached crisis point and is creating a vacuum being
filled by organised crime. The ramifications of having the national police
commissioner face criminal charges cannot be underestimated. The implications
for this country in relation to investment and foreign credibility are enormous
in the light of the position this country holds on the African continent and
also within the United Nations.
We welcome the decision of the NPA to move forward with its charges against
Selebi. The DA is relieved to see that the NPA refused to allow itself to be
intimidated from bringing criminal charges as the NPA is
constitutionally mandated to do *1.
Selebi's attempt to prevent the NPA from bringing him before the courts was
highly suspect. It is important that all are truly equal before the law and that
the principles that are enshrined in our constitution are respected.
The silence on the part of the both the President and the Minister of Safety and
Security in relation to this crisis has been deafening.
The NPA's refusal to bow down before political heavyweights restores the
public's faith in the impartiality of the criminal justice system. We trust that
the matter will proceed swiftly without further attempts to delay.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Dianne Kohler Barnard MP 082 823 7047
Martin Slabbert
082 320 1890
With acknowledgement to the Democratic Alliance.
*1 It goes something like this :
- "Our commissioner of police is not
only not a policeman, he's a crook."
He is however our president's friend.
Whatta boy, whatta country.
*2 NPA is constitutionally obligated to do so.