12 October 2007
The Acting Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Mokotedi Mpshe today
released the names of people who will constitute a panel to review the case
against National Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi. The panel consists of
Frank Dutton, Advocate Mbuyiseli Madlanga SC, Peter Goss and Advocate Shamila
Batohi.
Mbuyiseli Madlanga, a practising advocate and member of the Mthatha Bar
(with chambers in Johannesburg as well), was the chairperson of the Exchange
Control Amnesty Unit and Acting Judge President of the Transkei Division of the
High Court. Peter Goss is a Director in Forensic Services at
PricewaterhouseCoopers in Gauteng and a former member of the South African
Police Service. Frank Dutton, currently involved in doing regular investigation
work on an international consultancy basis, was instrumental for setting up the
Directorate of Special Operations (DSO) in 2000. Shamila Batohi is currently
the Director of Public Prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal and previously headed the
DSO in the province.
"The panel was chosen on the basis of the expertise they will bring to the
process. They bring a balanced mix of investigative, prosecutorial and judicial
skills. Their broad experience in the criminal justice system and their ability
to make independent and well-considered decisions are key to the integrity of
this process," Mphse said.
Mandate of the panel
The mandate of the panel will be to advise the Acting National Director of
Public Prosecutions as to the sufficiency of evidence to pursue or institute a
criminal prosecution in the matte of the National Commissioner of Police.
In order to enable the panel to carry out the mandate, the following will be
taken into consideration:
* The panel members will be placed in possessions of all the documents and
other evidence pertaining to the investigation against Commissioner
Selebi.
* They will be requested to deal with all the allegations against Commissioner
Selebi and any other matter incidental thereto.
* The panel will conduct the reviewing process as they deem fit.
* The DSO team will be available for any clarification needed by the
panel.
* Documents required by the panel will be provided to them, in particular,
material documents envisaged to be obtained by the search warrant already
secured by the SCO team.
The panel has been given a month to complete the process, but Adv Mpshe will
consider an extension should the panel find it necessary.
"I urge the media and the public to exercise patience and wait for the panel
to make its findings available. To respect this process the National
Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will not be making any comments until the review is
completed," Mpshe said.
Enquiries:
Tlali Tlali
Cell: 082 333 3880
E-mail: media@npa.gov.za
Issued by: National Prosecuting Authority
12 October 2007
