The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will meet with the prosecuting team in the Jackie Selebi case on Thursday, NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said.

"We will be meeting tomorrow," he said on Wednesday, but declined to comment on the purpose of the consultations with prosecutor Gerrie Nel, calling it "an internal matter".

Nel also declined all comment on the planned meeting with new NPA chief Menzi Simelane.

Judge Meyer Joffe on Tuesday reluctantly postponed former Police Commissioner Selebi's corruption trial until February 1, 2010 to allow the State Security Ministry time to challenge his decision to compel former national intelligence coordinator Barry Gilder to testify.

The ministry announced plans to petition the Supreme Court of Appeal to prevent Gilder from taking the stand, arguing his testimony could compromise national security.

Nel has insisted that the testimony the State wanted from Gilder was already in the public domain. But the ministry's legal council, advocate Marumo Moerane, argued the petition was a matter of principle as forcing Gilder to testify could set a precedent.

According to press reports, Nel wants to question Gilder about the existence of a draft intelligence report the state believes Selebi showed his friend turned state witness, convicted drug dealer Glenn Agliotti.

The Star newspaper reported that the document contained claims that Selebi was receiving corrupt payments from the Kebble mining family, and that the State wanted Gilder to confirm intelligence authorities later apologised to Selebi for this.

Simelane was controversially appointed head of the NPA last week after the State reached a R7,5-million settlement with his axed predecessor Vusi Pikoli, ending his bid to be reinstated as prosecutions chief.

The Ginwala Inquiry that probed whether Pikoli was fit to hold office, found Simelane had acted in way that amounted to "executive interference" in the independence of the NPA by writing a letter in 2007 that sought to dissuade Pikoli from bringing charges against Selebi.

Former National Assembly speaker Frene Ginwala found Pikoli was fit to hold office, but said Simelane's conduct "left much to be desired".