S.African police chief placed on leave over graft case

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

PRETORIA (AFP) — South African national police chief Jackie Selebi was placed on extended leave Saturday, a day after prosecutors announced plans to charge him with corruption over his links to a murder suspect.

In a press conference, President Thabo Mbeki said there was uniform acknowledgement that Selebi's presence at his desk would be a distraction until the law "takes its course" and he had consequently stood down.

"With effect from midnight last night we have granted the national commissioner of police an extended leave of absence," he told reporters.

Mbeki underlined that Selebi, who is also president of Interpol, had agreed with the move, saying: "I must say he was of the view that that should happen."

The announcement came the day after the...