afrol News, 14 January - Pretoria Regional Court has withdrawn charges against the head of Scorpions in Gauteng, Gerrie Nel. The man investigating the corruption charges against Jackie Selebi, South Africa's police chief, was briefly arraigned in the court before his case had been withdrawn.

"After careful consideration of the evidence in the docket, the decision was made to withdraw the charges," Chief Prosecutor, Matric Lupondo, informed the court.

Nel was arrested at his home in Pretoria on Tuesday and accused of corruption and aiding injustice in the country.

The freedom prosecutor, who was attired in a grey suit, would not throw a single word to news-hungry journalists outside the court.

His lawyer, Ian Small Smith who holds brief for him, said they were relieved with the outcome of the case because Nel wants to go back to work and carry out his duties at the Directorate of Special Operations.

"They (the police) were widely criticised after the arrest, after which the senior prosecutor felt there wasn't a case, which means he should not have been arrested in the first instance, as there was not a case. So I will be very surprised if there is another arrest," he said.

It is not clear whether the police will press charges against Nel again. But Smith in that case, the police should ask his client to hand himself over to them.

Selebi has denied any wrongdoing and has resigned as the President of Interpol. He was suspended from official duty.

Prosecution authorities believed that Selebi's friendship with a convicted drugs smuggler, Glen Agliotti, means he had defeated the ends of justice. He is accused of receiving US $170,000 from Agliotti.

Meanwhile, the acting Commissioner of Police, Tim Williams, has assured the public that the fight against crime would continue in the country.

"The Management Forum would like to assure the communities of South Africa that the SA Police Service (SAPS) will continue to meet the obligations and responsibilities entrusted to us in terms of the Constitution and the SA Police Service Act," the police said in a statement.

"Policing will continue and members of the SAPS at all levels are encouraged to focus on delivering service to the communities to ensure public safety."

Williams, who had formerly held the position on acting basis, was asked to step into Selebi's shoes on Friday. He would be assisted by four deputy National Police Commissioners.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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