|
Selebi gets his date
17/01/2008 20:44 - (SA)
Johannesburg - National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi will appear in the Randburg Regional Court on February 1, the National Prosecuting Authority said on Thursday.
His attorney Wynanda Coetzee said on Thursday afternoon the NPA had yet to formally notify her office of the decision.
"We haven't heard anything," she said.
"It came to me as a surprise. I heard it from one of the radio stations...on the news a few minutes ago."
However, Coetzee said it was one of the dates Selebi's legal team had suggested for the hearing.
She nonetheless emphasised that she would have to confirm the date on Friday morning with the advocates who would defend Selebi.
The NPA originally wanted the case on the roll on January 30, but one of Selebi's advocates was not available, said Coetzee.
The legal team had instead suggested that the case be heard on January 28, because they wanted the matter finalised as soon as possible.
They had also suggested January 31 and February 1 as possible court dates.
However, they had been unable to reach the NPA telephonically, said Coetzee, who also claimed the NPA had not responded to any letters about the matter from her office.
The NPA has indicated that it intends charging Selebi with corruption and defeating the course of justice.
He is accused of having a corrupt relationship with Glenn Agliotti, who has been convicted of drug trafficking and stands accused in the murder of mining magnate Brett Kebble, and of turning a blind eye to drug smuggling.
On Friday, Selebi failed to obtain an urgent application to stop the investigation against him.
In court papers, the acting National Director of Public Prosecutions Mokotedi Mpshe said he was ready to charge him.
This Friday, Selebi's lawyers will try to secure a date from the judge president for a hearing to have the probe against him halted.
The NPA has said it will not arrest Selebi "with handcuffs" but will ask him to present himself to court when it is ready.
Selebi has resigned as Interpol president and has been placed on leave pending the outcome of the case.
|
News
