Wednesday, February 18, 2009

NPA Selebi Documents Case To Be Postponed

JOHANNESBURG 17 February 2009 Sapa

NPA SELEBI DOCUMENTS CASE TO BE POSTPONED

The National Prosecuting Authority's court application to secure
documents for its case against suspended police commissioner Jackie Selebi was postponed, NPA spokesman Tlali Tlali said on Tuesday.

The NPA is in the process of securing documents it requires in the
lead-up to Selebi's court appearance in April and had sought
intervention at the Randburg Magistrate's Court.

Subpoenas were issued to secure the evidence, with Tuesday January 27 as the deadline but this was extended to February 17 after an agreement reached at the Randburg Magistrate's Court last month.

On Tuesday, the matter was postponed to February 26.

On Wednesday, the NPA will be back in court, this time at the
Johannesburg High Court, as Selebi tries to get documents that the
Scorpions, the NPA's investigative unit, are using to build their
corruption and defeating the ends of justice allegations against him.

He argued in an affidavit that he needs these items - which include
cheque stubs, telephone records and warrants, so that he can prepare for his trial.

Selebi said in an affidavit that he believes evidence has been
manipulated and manufactured against him as part of a plan to oppose the Scorpions' shift into the police from the NPA.

Tuesday's action related to subpoenas in terms of Section 205 of the
Criminal Procedure Act where the Scorpions wanted the police to hand over information they need for their investigation.

"Based on deliberations the parties have had in this regard, an
arrangement is in place in terms of which there will be a continuous
assessment of progress on compliance with the subpoenas," said Tlali.

If there is co-operation, further court action may not be necessary,
he said.

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