Cabinet approves end of SA's elite crime unit

President Thabo Mbeki's government has approved the disbanding of an elite South African crime-fighting unit, bowing to pressure from supporters of rival Jacob Zuma who accused it of political abuse. Mbeki's cabinet adopted two bills last week paving the way for the end of the Directorate of Special Operations, commonly known as the Scorpions, and the creation of a new unit within the police, South Africa's Sunday Times reported.

The FBI-style unit had been living on borrowed time since Zuma beat Mbeki for the leadership of the ruling African National Congress in December. Zuma's camp accused the Scorpions of engaging in a plot to smear and deny Zuma the ANC top job. In 2005, the unit raided properties belonging to Zuma and his lawyer as part of their corruption investigation of the politician, who is scheduled to go on trial in August for fraud, bribery and other wrongdoing tied to an arms scandal. Government spokesman Themba Maseko said the bills dissolving the unit would be tabled in parliament this week and be followed by public hearings, the Times said. The ANC-dominated parliament is expected to ratify the move.

Established by Mbeki in 1999 to fight high-profile corruption cases, the Scorpions have scored successes against organised crime, despite seeing their reputation attacked as a result of the Zuma investigation. The unit is not part of the police and reports to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The NPA in turn answers to South Africa's Justice Department. The Scorpions had waged a turf war with the police and were accused of using their power to settle scores, most notably in Zuma's corruption case but also in an investigation of the country's police chief. Zuma is widely seen as the frontrunner to replace Mbeki, who must leave office in 2009, and Zuma supporters have been purging party and parliamentary bodies of the most pro-Mbeki officials.

The rivalry between the two has stoked investor fears of political instability in Africa's largest economy. It is unclear, however, whether disbanding the Scorpions will have any bearing on the legal case against Zuma, who has pledged to step down as ANC leader if convicted. Mbeki fought to save the Scorpions and had the support of the main opposition party, but his ministers were lukewarm to the idea in the face of pressure from the Zuma-led ANC. The South African leader is due on Monday to release a report of an investigation into the Scorpions that will recommend the unit be retained while criticising the way it operated, the Times said.

Source: Polity

I'll never be arrested - Selebi

National police chief and Interpol head Jackie Selebi has said he will never be arrested because a warrant does not exist, the early edition of the Sunday Times reported on Saturday. "I will never be arrested... If there is a warrant for me I will stand on the 10th floor of the Sandton Towers so that the Scorpions can arrest me," he told the newspaper.

Selebi was responding to numerous media reports citing reliable sources that the National Prosecuting Authority had obtained a warrant for his arrest last week. A search and seizure document was allegedly also obtained from the Pretoria High Court. "I am not bothered at all. For what must I be arrested? There is no such thing as a warrant. It does not exist. I will not comment on charges as there is no warrant," he said. The question of Selebi's possible arrest follows in the wake of the suspension of National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli by President Thabo Mbeki.

Mbeki suspended Pikoli on Monday, citing an irretrievable breakdown in the relationship between Pikoli and Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla. On Saturday night, Government Communication and Information System spokesperson Themba Maseko said Mbeki had appointed Frene Ginwala to conduct the inquiry into Pikoli's fitness to hold office. Maseko said the former National Assembly Speaker had been appointed in terms of section 12(6) of the National Prosecuting Act 32 of 1998. "It's (the inquiry) going to be under way soon. I need to meet with the doctor (Ginwala) first and will avail more details on Monday," he said. Maseko said he would address a press conference on Monday outlining the details and format of the enquiry.

Source: Polity

Mbeki suspends NPA boss

President Thabo Mbeki has suspended the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Vusi Pikoli, the GCIS said on Monday. "This decision was taken on the basis of an irretrievable breakdown in the working relationship between the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development and the NDPP," said Government Communications and Information System's spokesperson Themba Maseko. He said the suspension was in terms of Section 12 (6) (a) of the National Prosecution Act 32 of 1998.

Maseko said Mbeki considered the relationship between Minister Mabandla and the NDPP central to the effective administration of justice and the "smooth functioning" of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). "The relationship breakdown had adverse implications for the NPA and the functioning of the criminal justice system," he said. He said an enquiry would be instituted to investigate the functioning and role of the NDPP. Recommendations would then be made to the President.

Deputy National Director Mokotedi Mpshe has been appointed as acting director. "Government would like to reassure all South Africans that the functioning of the justice system will not be compromised, especially within the context of the collective challenge to fight crime," he said.

Source: News 24.com