Selebi quits as Interpol president

[struggle4progress]

Source: Politics Web

Politicsweb.co.za
14 January 2008

SA police chief says that he will now devote his "energies to clearing my name”.

JOHANNESBURG - National police commissioner, Jackie Selebi, has stepped down as president of Interpol. This follows the dismissal by the Pretoria High Court of his application to prevent the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) from bringing charges against him and his decision to go on "extended leave" pending his trial ...

"It is with regret that I herewith tender my resignation as president of Interpol as I do not wish the allegations that have been levelled against me to bring the good work of this august body into disrepute. President Mbeki has granted my request for an extended leave of absence as National Commissioner of the South African Police Services so that I can devote my energies to clearing my name."

In a statement issued in response Interpol said that the "allegations against Mr Selebi relate to his capacity as Commissioner of Police for South Africa and have nothing to do with his position as President of Interpol or the work of the organization."

Noble was quoted as saying that based on his experience Selebi "always conducted himself and acted in a way to enhance global security and police co-operation worldwide." ...

Read more: http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71619?oid=85272&sn=Detail

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Earlier LBN thread:
Interpol's head 'to be charged'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=3135235

Interpol boss faces charges, quits
January 13, 2008

... On Saturday, South African President Thabo Mbeki told a news conference in Pretoria, South Africa, that Selebi had been given an "extended leave of absence" from his police duties, but that he was not being sacked.

Mbeki said Selebi supported the decision -- taken midnight Friday and effective immediately -- to temporarily step down and that an acting commissioner had already been appointed to take his place.

The National Prosecuting Authority said it will charge the police chief with "corruption and defeating the administration of justice," Tladi Tladi, a spokesman for the agency told CNN ...

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/01/13/police.chief/

South African police chief quits as Interpol president
Sun Jan 13, 2008 2:08pm ES

... A copy of Selebi's indictment, made available to the media by prosecutors, covers a range of charges that include receiving payments from his friend Glenn Agliotti, a convicted drug smuggler accused of playing a role in the 2005 murder of a South African mining magnate.

The indictment said between 2000 to 2005 Selebi received at least 1.2 million rand ($175,500) from Agliotti and his associates, including 30,000 rand from Agliotti a day or two after magnate Brett Kebble was killed.

The period in question overlaps with his tenure at Interpol, where Selebi became president in 2004. He was elected to the post by its general assembly, which brings together delegates from all member states worldwide.

The president is not in charge of Interpol's day-to-day running but presides over meetings of the assembly and executive committee and plays a major role in setting direction and strategy. Selebi's four-year term was due to end this year ...

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSL1346212120080113

Timeline on South Africa's Selebi, related cases
Sun Jan 13, 2008 9:36am EST

... Sept 24 - Moketedi Mpshe becomes acting head of the National Prosecuting Authority after Vusi Pikoli was suspended by Mbeki, drawing accusations he did it to protect Selebi from a criminal investigation.

Oct 5 - NPA says it has obtained arrest and search warrants for Selebi, but would not act on them pending a review ...

Jan 8 - Gerrie Nel, a senior official of the Scorpions elite crime-fighting unit who led the investigation into Selebi, is arrested and charged with perjury, fraud and "defeating the ends of justice" in an unrelated case ...

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL1346594120080113

NPA’s Nel claims ulterior motives
Sashni Pather
Published:Jan 14, 2008

... The charges against Nel apparently relate to his testimony against former Scorpions investigator Cornwell Tshavhunga who was charged with sabotaging an investigation.

Tshavhunga was suspended last January after being convicted of sabotaging a fraud and corruption investigation into the squandering of taxpayers funds.

Despite Nel’s arrest, the NPA has not suspended him and has maintained that it will not detract from the investigation into Selebi ...

http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=680478

Interpol to discuss Selebi in February
Sapa
Published:Jan 13, 2008

... "This matter involving Interpol President, Jackie Selebi will be discussed by the Executive Committee at their meeting in February." ...

Speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria Mbeki said: "I must say that he himself was of the view that it should happen, so that whatever might happen in the courts about him he ought not to be sitting at police headquarters."

Mbeki has appointed Timothy Charles Williams, Deputy National Commissioner responsible for Crime Intelligence and Detection, as the acting National Commissioner of Police.

Interpol said its General Secretariat was carefully monitoring the situation.

http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=679853