S.A. SELEBI PROBE OFFICIAL ARRESTED!

The official leading the investigation into corruption allegations against South African police chief and Interpol head Jackie Selebi has been arrested. Prosecutors said the official, Gerrie Nel had been detained at his home in the capital, Pretoria. He is reported to be facing corruption charges. He is a member of an elite unit known as the Scorpions. Acting National Prosecuting Authority head Moketedi Mpshe said the arrest would not affect the Selebi inquiry. Mr Selebi has denied allegations of links to organised crime.

Questions remain about Mr Selebi's alleged close links to businessman Glen Agliotti, who is accused of involvement in the murder of mining magnate, Brett Kebble. President Thabo Mbeki, who is said to be close to Mr Selebi, has consistently resisted calls for his police commissioner to be fired, saying he would not take any action until evidence of any wrongdoing was brought before him.

Mr Nel, who heads the Scorpions in Gauteng province, was arrested at his home in Pretoria on Tuesday night. The Scorpions have a fierce rivalry with the police He is alleged to have interfered in an investigation against one of his officers two to three years ago. But Mr Nel's lawyer said he was filing an application to the Pretoria high court for his release on the grounds that the arrest warrant was obtained "in bad faith". "His subsequent detention is unlawful and the court would be urged to order his release," Ian Small Smith said, quoted by AFP news agency.

Mr Mpshe said the arrest was completely unrelated to the Selebi inquiry, and would have no bearing on its outcome. He added that a decision on whether to prosecute Mr Selebi would be taken by the end of the month. A warrant was issued for the police chief in September last year but was subsequently cancelled.

The FBI-style Scorpions unit was set up in 1999 to operate independently of the South African Police Service to fight organised crime. It consists primarily of investigators who work hand in hand with the NPA. The BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg says the Scorpions' rivalry with the police lies at the heart of goings-on allegedly involving Mr Selebi.
BBC NEWS REPORT.