POLITICS

Jackie Selebi owes SA taxpayers R17,5m. He should pay it back - Pieter Groenewald

FF Plus MP says he will be submitting a complaint to the PP over former police commissioner's legal fees

 FF Plus to approach Public Protector about Jackie Selebi's legal costs

The FF Plus will today be submitting a complaint with the Public Protector (PP) about the legal fees of the former Police Commissioner, Jackie Selebi.

Dr. Groenewald said the issue has been dragging on for years now and that he has on several occasions asked when Selebi would be re-paying the legal fees back to government.

"R17,5 million, including interest, has to be re-paid. It has been longer than five years since the former police chief was found guilty of bribery and corruption and there is still no decisive answer as to when he will be re-paying the legal fees.

"It is time Selebi starts paying for his crimes. A year ago the government gave an undertaking that they would take a decision about it and provide answers "shortly".

"This situation is unacceptable. It is not just the Police which are working on this matter. There are various lawyers and the Treasury dealing with it. The FF plus will not allow this issue to be buried.

"Apart from the fact that Selebi is still apparently healthy and a free man after he was released on medical parole, he still owes more than R17,5 million. We want answers now," Dr. Groenewald said.

Selebi was sent to jail for 15 years in 2010 for accepting a bribe from the drug lord Glen Agliotti. He was released on medical parole in 2012.

Statement issued by Dr. Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus chief spokesperson: Police, July 21 2014

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