allegations against national commissioner
6 December 2006
The nine Provincial Commissioners (PCs) of the South African Police Service
(SAPS) met last week to discuss their collective concern about the media
coverage of the scurrilous, defamatory and unsubstantiated allegations levelled
against the National Commissioner of the SAPS, Jackie Selebi.
The PCs resolved to request a meeting with management of the National
Prosecutions Authority (NPA), which request was granted and the meeting took
place yesterday afternoon at the NPA Head Office in Silverton, Pretoria. The
PCs, who, between themselves, marshal more than 126 000 forces on the ground,
sought clarity on the alleged investigation against the national commissioner
as the allegations were beginning to undermine confidence in the SAPS and
sought to cast aspersions on the integrity and dignity of Commissioner Selebi.
They further expressed their collective anger and disgust at the manner in
which the alleged investigation was being carried out, which was characterised
by constant leaks of affidavits and information to the media.
The meeting was prompted by boiling anger on the ground at various
provinces, particularly from seasoned investigators who understand the
traditional methodology of conducting investigations, who were appalled by the
constant leaking of affidavits which was supposed to be in the safe keeping of
an investigating agency, but mysteriously found its way to the media.
The PCs, who initiated the meeting with the head of the NPA and his
deputies, without the knowledge and permission of the national commissioner,
were satisfied by the outcome of the meeting after the NPA management confirmed
that they dissociated themselves from the well-publicised agenda of the
individual peddling the allegations, and said they can't "control" the man, as
he was neither their registered source nor their employee.
The PCs pledged their unwavering support to and complimented the national
commissioner on his inspirational and visionary leadership in his management of
the organisation, more so as we approach the festive season when levels of
crime tend to peak during this period. While the detractors of the national
commissioner will be holidaying, he will be leading his charges, the men and
women in blue from the front, as he has been doing since he assumed the reins
of the SAPS.
We wish to reassure the South African public that we will not be detracted
from our focus of preventing, investigating and combating crime during and
beyond the festive season.
The PCs have mandated their colleague, the PC of Western Cape, Mzwandile
Petros, to speak on their behalf. He is contactable:
Cell: 082 559 1977
Signed by: All the nine PCs of the SAPS
1. Commissioner Landu: PC Eastern Cape
2. Commissioner Mashigo: PC Free State
3. Commissioner Naidoo: PC Gauteng
4. Commissioner Ngidi: PC KwaZulu-Natal
5. Commissioner Sengani: PC Limpopo
6. Commissioner Khumalo: Mpumalanga
7. Commissioner Mbombo: PC Northern Cape
8. Commissioner Beetha: PC North West
9. Commissioner Petros: PC Western Cape
Enquiries:
Director Selby Bokaba
Tel: (012) 393 5439
Fax: (012) 393 5520
Cell: 082 778 0245
E-mail: bokabas@saps.org.za
Issued by: South African Police Service
6 December 2006
Source: South African Police Service (http://www.saps.gov.za)
