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Parliament will not probe Chikane

Waghied Misbach

Waghied Misbach

Parliament has rejected an attempt by the official opposition to have the presidency's director-general, Frank Chikane, pictured, investigated for misleading the public over the suspension of National Prosecuting Authority boss Vusi Pikoli.

Acting speaker of the national assembly Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde turned down the request by the DA's Sandra Botha to have a special parliamentary committee set up to probe Chikane.

The DA alleged Chikane knew about the warrants of arrest the NPA had issued for national police Commissioner Jackie Selebi, but that he had failed to tell this to opposition party leaders at a meeting held on September 26 at the Union Buildings.

Presidential spokesman Mukoni Ratshitanga has also rejected the accusations.

Botha stated earlier this week that the warrants were issued more than two weeks before the briefing took place and there was little reason to believe Chikane "was unaware of their existence". Botha pointed to media reports indicating that President Thabo Mbeki had met with Pikoli, Justice Minister Brigette Mabandla, the head of the Scorpions Leonard McCarthy and senior justice officials to discuss the action taken against Selebi. It is alleged Mbeki asked deputy NPA commissioner Moketedi Mpshe to review the Selebi docket.

Botha said yesterday that office bearers do not understand their constitutional role of holding government accountable to the taxpayer.

Parliament has also turned down a DA request for the president to be grilled on the Pikoli suspension and Selebi warrants.

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