Jackie Selebi, the former National Police Commissioner in the Republic of South Africa, was convicted of corruption in a widely publicized trial. The ANC stalwart could face up to 15 years in prison., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
No parole, but Jackie Selebi to stay in prison hospital
NICKOLAUS BAUER | JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Dec 28 2011 11:11
Jackie Selebi will not receive medical parole but will be kept in the medical wing of a correctional facility "indefinitely", the department of correctional services said on Pretoria on Wednesday.
"Following the medical report from the staff at Steve Biko Academic Hospital it has been decided Mr Selebi will be kept in the medical wing of a correctional facility indefinitely, after his release from hospital," the national commissioner of correctional services,Tom Moyane, told reporters.
After losing the appeal against his conviction for corruption, the former commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) began his 15-year jail sentence on December 5.
According to Moyane, Selebi has received intermittent treatment for "uncontrollable sugar diabetes" and undergone laser surgery on his eyes since his arrival.
The 61-year-old former top cop was then transferred from prison to the Steve Biko Academic hospital in Pretoria on December 19 and is currently receiving treatment at the facility's nephrology ward.
Selebi is undergoing dialysis treatment at the facility and his current condition was described as "critical but stable" by hospital officials.
"This department is trying to be as transparent as possible, to dispel suggestions that Selebi is faking it," Moyane added.
At this stage neither Selebi nor his legal representatives have filed a formal application for medical parole.
There have also been no recommendations for medical parole from the doctors attending to Selebi.
The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg found Selebi guilty of receiving money in exchange for favours and information from convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti.
It is understood Selebi collapsed at his home in Waterkloof on December 2 upon hearing his appeal against his conviction failed in the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Zuma abandons bid to keep Simelane as NPA boss
NICKOLAUS BAUER | JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Dec 28 2011 15:17
President Jacob Zuma has dropped his challenge of a Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling that Menzi Simelane's appointment as head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is "invalid", it emerged on Wednesday.
In court papers filed with the Constitutional Court on December 23, Zuma formally withdrew his appeal against the December 1 judgment by the appeals court.
The SCA ruled that Simelane's appointment as the national director of public prosecutions in November 2009 was "inconsistent with the Constitution and invalid".
Dropping the Constitutional Court challenge effectively means Zuma must relieve Simelane of his duties as NPA boss.
The Democratic Alliance, which initially failed in its North Gauteng High Court bid to have Simelane's appointment overturned, welcomed the decision saying "common sense" had prevailed.
The official opposition argued that Simelane was not a "fit and proper person" for his position and that Zuma had failed to "follow proper procedure".
"The fact that the president is withdrawing his appeal means in effect that he will abide by the decision of the SCA. This must mean that he has decided to appoint someone else in this position," said the chairperson of the DA's federal executive, James Selfe.
The NPA refused to comment on Zuma's decision to withdraw the challenge, with spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga telling the Mail & Guardian it was up to the presidency to issue a statement on the matter.
Neither presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj nor justice department spokesperson Tlali Tlali could be reached for comment.
Legal woes
This is the latest in a series of legal woes befalling Zuma.
Last week the president appointed advocate Nomvula Mokhatla, the NPA's deputy national director of public prosecutions, to act as the head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
Mokhatla replaced Advocate Nomgcobo Jiba, another deputy national director of public prosecutions, who served in the position for less than a week following the controversial departure of Advocate Willem Heath.
Initial indications are promising though, as Zuma's greatest political foes the DA said they were "encouraged" by Mokhatla's replacement of Jiba.
The SIU and Simelane debacles came in the wake of an outcry over Zuma's decision to appoint Mogoeng Mogoeng as chief justice of the Constitutional Court in September.
Mogoeng's appointment came after Zuma "unconstitutionally" attempted to lengthen the term of then chief justice Sandile Ngcobo.
All of these decisions have come in a space of less than five months with opposition parties and analysts alike condemning Zuma for his apparent "blundering".
But, as the presidency is not made up of Zuma alone, it's uncertain as to who has been whispering bad advice into the president's ear.
Following the Ngcobo calamity, the role of chief state law adviser Enver Daniels in Zuma's choices was questioned.
Justice Minister Jeff Radebe has also been suggested as a possible source of the legal problems.
Zuma and the minister have a long standing relationship and are to be known political, so it would be a fair assumption that he has the president's attention when he talks.
But, despite the finger being pointed in his direction, Radebe has flatly refused to shoulder any blame.
When approached for comment prior to the SCA appeal withdrawal, Maharaj would not be drawn into commenting on Zuma's confidence in his legal advisors – or who was behind the bloopers.
"People are allowed to speculate -- just know that when there is a problem President Zuma acts," Maharaj said.
In an attempt to steady the ship, Zuma called in Michael Hulley to become his presidential legal advisor in early November.
"Mr Hulley's arrival was to reinforce the legal team -- not only in the presidency itself but across the board in the department of Justice," Maharaj noted.
But, the jury is still out on whether Hulley's experience in helping Zuma stave off charges of rape and corruption will lead to better overall legal decision making, or whether the controversial figure he cuts will be continued to be mired in the scandal surrounding his role in the Aurora mining saga.
The true test of Hulley's impact will only be felt in 2012 when further important decisions are made.
Maharaj maintained that as a constitutional democracy people were always free to hold opinions -- even if they are negative -- but also warned against the ease of "sucking your thumb" to form your views.
"It is a narrow way of looking at things, to label these as mere mishaps. This is a fact of grappling with the realities on the ground when you are building a constitutional democracy," surmised Maharaj.
Source: Mail & Guardian Online
Web Address: http://mg.co.za/article/2011-12-28-zuma-abandons-bid-to-keep-simelane-as-npa-boss
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