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ACDP MP and spokesperson on Justice matters, Steve Swart, has commended the National Prosecuting Authority on the successful prosecution former National Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi.

"The ACDP commends the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and in particular, Adv. Gerrie Nel, on the successful prosecution of former National Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi, who was found guilty on charges of corruption in a judgment delivered by Judge Meyer Joffe.

This judgment serves to illustrate that no person is above the law, including the police commissioner who had powerful political connections right up to the presidency, and that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) can and must be able to act independently, free from any political interference, "without fear, favour or prejudice". It also highlights the need for an independent and strong judiciary.

This judgment also vindicates former National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Adv. Vusi Pikoli, who persevered with the investigations into Selebi. This eventually cost Adv. Pikoli his position as NPA head after former State President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, suspended him in an apparent attempt to protect Selebi. The subsequent Ginwala Inquiry found that Pikoli was "a man of unquestionable integrity, with passion to execute his constitutional responsibilities without fear, favour or prejudice" and recommended that he should be reinstated as NDPP. President Kgalema Motlanthe decided, however, not to reinstate him, citing, in our view, spurious grounds of "national security" for his decision.

Thus, whilst Adv Pikoli has been vindicated, it is regrettable that the prosecution services lost its very able and courageous national director. Our prosecution services are much the worse off, particularly if one has regard to the controversial decisions taken by the new NDPP, Adv Menzi Simelane.

Whilst the ACDP thus commends the NPA on this successful prosecution, it is regrettable that the level of corruption in our nation reached right up to the level of national police commissioner. This is a severe embarrassment to our nation at a time when the eyes of the world are on South Africa during the FIFA Soccer World Cup, particularly in view of the fact that Selebi was not only the police chief, but also president of Interpol, the international policing agency.

On the positive side, our prosecution services showed great resilience and perseverance in bringing Selebi to justice, notwithstanding his high police rank."