Selebi 'taking it on the chin'

2008-01-31 18:19

Pretoria - It will likely be a short first appearance for National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi in the Randburg Regional Court on Friday, a member of his legal team said.

Selebi would be present at the court but it was likely that his case was going to be postponed, advocate Fanus Coetzee said on Thursday.

"The State has indicated that they would ask for a postponement for further investigation," Coetzee said.

The decision to postpone is up to the magistrate hearing the matter.

The National Prosecuting Authority has previously indicated it intends charging Selebi with corruption and defeating the course of justice.

NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali did want to comment on the case beyond saying it would play itself out in the court.

Selebi's team would be handed a formal charge sheet on Friday, Coetzee said.

"We can't even start talking about a plea until we get the final charge sheet," said Coetzee.

Asked how Selebi was faring, he said: "He's taking things as they come, taking it on the chin."

Earlier in January, Selebi made an urgent application in the Pretoria High Court to have the investigation against him stopped.

He failed to have the matter heard urgently, but will pursue that case through the normal court process, having secured a date in the Pretoria High Court on April 10.

Alleged corrupt relations with murder accused and convicted drug trafficker Glen Agliotti, payments to the amount of R1.2m, and turning a blind eye to drug smuggling were some of the reasons why the NPA wanted to charge him.

Selebi has been placed on leave by President Thabo Mbeki and has resigned as head of Interpol.

- SAPA