NPA: We're considering all information on JZ, Selebi

The National Director of Public Prosecutions will decide "soon *1" whether to proceed with charging two of the country's most powerful figures ­ ANC presidential frontrunner Jacob Zuma and police commissioner Jackie Selebi.

The National Prosecuting Authority said yesterday that Mokotedi Mpshe was "deliberating" the way forward in both cases.

NPA spokesman Tlali Tlali said Mpshe had met the team investigating Zuma and was presented with a "final briefing" on the continuing probe into allegations of corruption.

This could herald the beginning of the end of a seven-year investigation into Zuma, who has emerged as the runaway candidate for the presidency of the ANC.

Zuma was charged with corruption shortly after he was fired as deputy president of the country and has since fought numerous court battles with the NPA.

The corruption case against him was struck from the roll in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, but the elite investigations unit the Scorpions continued its probe.

The NPA secured a crucial victory in the Supreme Court of Appeal earlier this month ­ in its mission to bring Zuma to court ­ and some legal experts believe it is only a matter of time before Zuma is charged again.

His legal team, in turn, has sought to pre-empt the NPA by filing an application in the Constitutional Court on Wednesday, arguing that the investigation has resulted in infringment on Zuma's constitutional rights.

Tlali said prosecutions boss Mpshe would carefully consider all the information presented to him by the investigating team ­ before making a decision.

Several of Zuma's most vocal backers, including Cosatu, have warned that the country could be plunged into chaos should he be charged again.

They have maintained that the investigation into their preferred presidential candidate is a politically motivated witch-hunt.

Mpshe is also applying his mind to the matter involving Selebi.

Tlali said the panel appointed to review the charges against Selebi had also submitted a report to Mpshe yesterday.

The national police commissioner has been in the spotlight recently for allegedly stalling probes into alleged underworld kingpin Glenn Agliotti, his friend, who is accused of murdering businessman Brett Kebble.

Mpshe's predecessor, advocate Vusi Pikoli, was unceremoniously suspended after he obtained a warrant of arrest for Selebi.

The government's claim that Pikoli's suspension was prompted by a breakdown in his relationship with Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla was questioned after it emerged that Pikoli was about to charge Selebi.

With acknowledgement to Werner Swart and The Times.