While charges against Jackie Selebi have been cleared, Gerrie Nel a senior member of the Scorpions special investigation unit was arrested last week. Gerrie Nell was arrested on charges of corruption.
Selebi denies any wrongdoing. He has been suspended from his post as South Africa’s police chief. At the same time, Selebi has also resigned from his position as Interpol’s president which he was elected to for a four year term.
According to prosecutors, Selebi will be indicted on corruption charges for his friendship with a drugs smuggler.
The arrest of Mr. Nel last week could be seen as the rivalry that exists between both the Scorpions and the police. Both groups are independent from one another.
“The whole prosecution [or Mr Nel] came from the police. So you must see a connection. There are too many things that are not just coincidence. The coincidence is just too stark,” explains Marinus Wichers, a legal expert.
Wichers adds: “It will deepen the rift between the Scorpions and the police, unless the change of circumstances [the suspension of Mr Selebi] is the basis for a new working relationship.”
As a result, the Democratic Alliance called for an independent inquiry as to why Mr. Nel was arrested.
The National Prosecuting Authority says that Selebi will be charged with corruption and defeating the ends of justice.
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