The man leading an investigation into alleged corruption by South Africa’s national police chief has been arrested on graft charges.

Gerrie Nel, head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), was taken into custody after armed police raided his home in Pretoria.

He was released on bail of 10,000 rand (£650) and ordered to appear in court on Monday on charges of fraud and perjury in connection with a criminal trial in which he was a witness three years ago.

Mr Nel was in the process of preparing an arrest warrant for Jackie Selebi, the National Police Commissioner, on charges of corruption. His arrest is the latest twist in a turf war between the South African Police and the NPA, modelled on America’s FBI.

The 2,000-strong NPA, known as the Scorpions, is an elite unit that was set up to investigate and prosecute high-level crime, including police corruption. Politicians and police became angry, however, when the Scorpions exercised their independence and began investigating Jacob Zuma, the newly elected leader of the ruling African National Congress party, and Mr Selebi.

The stand-off between the Scorpions and Mr Selebi’s police force mirrors the increasing political instability in South Africa caused by divisions between factions of the ANC led by Mr Zuma and President Mbeki.

Mr Selebi has been under investigation over alleged involvement in organised crime.

He is suspected of having links with Glenn Agliotti, a convicted drugs dealer who has been accused of involvement in the assassination of Brett Kebble, the mining magnate, two years ago.

Ian Small Smith, Mr Nel’s lawyer, accused the police of acting in bad faith, adding that the manner of his arrest by 20 armed police in the presence of his wife and children was insensitive and unnecessary.

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