S. Africa police chief accused of corruption

The national police commissioner, who faces charges of corruption and trying to protect a convicted drug smuggler, has gone on extended leave, the South African president said Saturday.

The National Prosecuting Authority said Friday that charges would be filed soon against Jackie Selebi, who also holds the largely ceremonial post of president of Interpol. Selebi has denied any wrongdoing.

President Thabo Mbeki sought to reassure a nervous public that the government would continue its fight against crime in a country that has more than 50 homicides a day.

“The police and all of its ranks will continue with its work as normal,” he said at a news conference called to announce Selebi’s leave.

The new scandal was another blow to South Africa’s international image. The ruling African National Congress’ new president, Jacob Zuma, who hopes to succeed Mbeki in 2009, is due to go on trial in August on charges of corruption, money laundering and racketeering.

The prosecuting authority said the charges against Selebi related to the police chief’s “generally corrupt relationship” with Glen Agliotti, a convicted drug trafficker.

Prosecutors allege that Agliotti gave Selebi cash, clothes for him and his family, and $4,400 to pay for a dinner in Paris when he was elected head of Interpol.

The payments from 2000 to 2005 totaled at least $175,000, the prosecuting authority said.

Selebi tried Friday to block the indictment in Pretoria’s High Court. The judge dismissed the bid, saying the judicial system would be undermined if Selebi were not prosecuted.

Mbeki said that Timothy Charles Williams, deputy national commissioner for crime intelligence and crime detection, would be acting police chief. He said it was up to Interpol to decide on Selebi’s future.