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.

In a letter sent to the Secretary General of Interpol, Ronald K. Noble, on September 12 Selebi wrote:

"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."

However, according to a Sunday Times report on the NPA case Selebi allegedly had asked "Agliotti for R30 000 so he could host a dinner in France to impress and lobby Interpol delegates to vote him into the top job."

Moreover, Agliotti's affidavit states that on another occasion Selebi informed him that he "had checked on the Interpol computer system that there was no Red Notice for his arrest, which enabled [Billy] Rautenbach to fly to London and see his son." Selebi had allegedly received a payment from Rautenbach in return for cancelling a South African warrant for his arrest.

Following the announcement last week that the NPA intended to charge Selebi Interpol said that it was closely monitoring the situation. "While it would be inappropriate for INTERPOL to comment on the ongoing investigation in South Africa, it should be stated that President Selebi has significantly helped the organization and its member countries to enhance security and police co-operation worldwide."

On Saturday President Thabo Mbeki told a press conference that a few days before he had been briefed by the Acting National Director of the NPA, Moketedi Mpshe, and told "that they would be proceeding against the National Commissioner of Police and he did that because he understood that as President of the Republic I would have to take various actions in response to what they intended to do. So, what therefore has happened, is that with effect from midnight last night, the National Commissioner of Police has been given an extended leave of absence."

The basic outline of the "generally corrupt relationship" that allegedly existed between Jackie Selebi and Glenn Agliotti was originally set out in a series of Mail & Guardian articles published between May and November 2006. Following a Sunday Times article on November 5 2006 Selebi called a press conference where he told reporters "I don't do crime, I am not corrupt."

Selebi's position was buttressed at the time by the outspoken support he then received from Interpol. An Interpol statement issued on November 7 2006 described Selebi as "a man of the highest professionalism and integrity." It continued:

"First as INTERPOL's Vice-President for Africa and now as INTERPOL's President, Commissioner Selebi has worked hard to ensure that both South Africans and the citizens of all of INTERPOL's 186 member countries are safer than they otherwise would be.

Under his leadership, INTERPOL has helped police arrest more fugitives worldwide, share more information internationally about dangerous criminals and cooperate more effectively across national borders than at any time in history.

It would be very unfortunate if anyone were to credit unsubstantiated rumours over the word of such an honorable and dedicated public servant. INTERPOL finds Commissioner Selebi's statement to be clear and unequivocal, and one which accurately reflects the honest, upright, and strong leadership he has demonstrated on behalf of not only the Organization, but also the global law enforcement community."