afrol News, 26 June - Opposition groups have criticised South African President Thabo Mbeki for extending the contract of police chief who is facing charges on corruption, fraud and money.

“President Mbeki has extended the employment contract of the national commissioner of the South African Police Service for 12 months, with effect from the 1st of July 2008,” the government spokesman, Themba Maseko, said on Thursday.

South African government wants to wait for the outcome of Jackie Selebi's trial in a Johannesburg court before concluding a final decision on his employment.

In January, Selebi resigned as the President of Interpol after he was slapped with charges related to his connection with a convicted drug smuller, Glenn Agliotti. Selebi was accused of receiving payments from Agliotti, who is believed to have conspired in the murder of a South African mining magnate in 2005.

Widely regarded as a close ally of President Mbeki, Mr Selebi will remain on special leave.

Both the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and Democratic Alliance (DA) have got beef with Mr Mbeki for extending the police chief's contract.

For DA, it was a calculated attempt by the government to "defeat the ends of justice" and "an alternative charge of receiving an unauthorised gratification", as Selebi was due to appear in court on Thursday. The party said Presdient Mbeki’s assertion that the decision was based “on the need to allow due process to be concluded before a final decision could be taken on the future of his employment contract with the state” was disingenuous.

"Due process would actually entail holding over any contractual negotiations until such time as this very serious case was finalised in court," the party said. Beside charges against him, the DA argued that "it is patently obvious that he has a poor record in fulfilling his mandate as Commissioner of Police. He was at the forefront of disbanding the specialised units within the SAPS with the resultant crime crisis facing South Africa."

The opposition said the development clearly indicated that South African leader "cannot act impartially in his dealings with Selebi."

“We are totally shocked by this decision," said Velaphi Ndlovu of IFP. "We don’t understand why government would extend the commissioner’s contract while he is still being investigated for corruption and defeating the ends of justice. Surely, his contract should only be renewed once he is cleared of all the charges against him?”

By staff writer

© afrol News

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