Police Minister must act to recover millions spent on Selebi trial

The Supreme Court of Appeal today rejected former National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi's bid to appeal the 15-year sentence handed down after he was found guilty of corruption. This finally marks the end of one of the most embarrassing and high-profile corruption trials in South African history. With this chapter closed, Mr Selebi must do the honourable thing and hand himself in at the nearest police station.

I will today be writing to the Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, to request that these costs are recovered as soon as possible. This follows the Minister's statement that the recovery of Mr Selebi's legal fees by the State would only be considered once the appeal case had been finalised.

The state has thus far paid in excess of R17.4 million in legal fees for Mr Selebi.

The Minister must act to ensure that the South African people do not have to bear the legal costs of the disgraced former police chief, who abused his access to state legal support to explore every possible avenue to get himself off the hook. 

The Selebi saga seriously eroded public confidence in the SAPS. It is now up to the Minister of Police and Acting Police Commissioner to ensure that the people's faith in our police service is restored. 

Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, December 2 2011

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