Time for Selebi to go - minister

2009-01-07 10:01

Johannesburg - Safety and Security Minister Nathi Mthethwa has asked President Kgalema Motlanthe to replace suspended national police commissioner Jackie Selebi, an official said on Wednesday.

"[The minister] has made a representation to the president, putting the facts in terms of making sure that a new permanent commissioner takes over, to make sure there is control of the SA Police Force," said Mthethwa's spokesperson, Hangwani Mulaudzi.

The statement comes after Mthethwa hinted in several radio interviews this week that he believed it was time for Selebi - who is facing charges of corruption and defeating the end of justice - to leave the police force.

Selebi will go on trial in the Johannesburg High Court on April 14 to face the charges relating to payments of about R1.2m made to Selebi.

The State alleges that convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti, murdered mining entrepreneur Brett Kebble, and former Hyundai boss and mining entrepreneur Billy Rautenbach and other "relevant corporate entities" made corrupt payments to Selebi between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2005.

Selebi was suspended in January 2008 when he also quit as head of Interpol.

The chief prosecutor at the time, Vusi Pikoli, has maintained that he himself was suspended by former president Thabo Mbeki because of the decision to charge Selebi.

Last June, Mbeki - who has since been recalled from office - extended Selebi's contract by a year.

Tim Williams is currently the acting police commissioner.

- SAPA