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SA police chief charged in court SA police chief appears in court
(about 2 hours later)
South Africa's suspended police commissioner Jackie Selebi has been formally charged with corruption as he appeared in court for the first time. South Africa's suspended police commissioner Jackie Selebi has appeared in court on corruption charges.
The prosecutor read him the charges: corruption, accepting bribes worth 1.2m rand ($160,000, £80,000) and defeating the course of justice.The prosecutor read him the charges: corruption, accepting bribes worth 1.2m rand ($160,000, £80,000) and defeating the course of justice.
Mr Selebi was not required to plead but he has previously denied the charges.Mr Selebi was not required to plead but he has previously denied the charges.
The magistrate agreed to postpone the case until June 26 to give prosecutors more time to complete investigations.The magistrate agreed to postpone the case until June 26 to give prosecutors more time to complete investigations.
Mr Selebi is a close ally of President Thabo Mbeki, who has been accused of trying to protect him.Mr Selebi is a close ally of President Thabo Mbeki, who has been accused of trying to protect him.
I maintain I am innocent of the alleged offences and will plead not guilty to the charges Jackie Selebi Claims of corruption and dirty tricks hit South AfricaI maintain I am innocent of the alleged offences and will plead not guilty to the charges Jackie Selebi Claims of corruption and dirty tricks hit South Africa
A spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) told the BBC that Mr Selebi had not been formally charged, despite the court appearance.
The BBC's Peter Greste says Mr Selebi arrived at the Randburg magistrates court wearing a grey suit and in an unmarked car, stripped of the trappings that go with his title.The BBC's Peter Greste says Mr Selebi arrived at the Randburg magistrates court wearing a grey suit and in an unmarked car, stripped of the trappings that go with his title.
As he walked in he waved and smiled to the media before taking his seat for the accused inside the court.As he walked in he waved and smiled to the media before taking his seat for the accused inside the court.
In an affidavit requesting bail, he promised not to interfere with witnesses or evidence.In an affidavit requesting bail, he promised not to interfere with witnesses or evidence.
"I maintain I am innocent of the alleged offences and will plead not guilty to the charges," he said in the affidavit."I maintain I am innocent of the alleged offences and will plead not guilty to the charges," he said in the affidavit.
The commissioner was placed on leave and forced to resign as head of Interpol after the National Prosecuting Authority said he would be charged last month. The commissioner was placed on leave and forced to resign as head of Interpol after the NPA said he would be charged last month.
At the heart of the allegations is Mr Selebi's relationship with convicted drug smuggler, Glen Agliotti, who is also being charged with the murder of a prominent mining magnate.At the heart of the allegations is Mr Selebi's relationship with convicted drug smuggler, Glen Agliotti, who is also being charged with the murder of a prominent mining magnate.
The NPA has alleged that Glen Agliotti paid bribes and gifts to the police commissioner in exchange for turning a blind eye to drugs trafficking.The NPA has alleged that Glen Agliotti paid bribes and gifts to the police commissioner in exchange for turning a blind eye to drugs trafficking.
Last year, Mr Mbeki suspended NPA chief prosecutor Vusi Pikoli after he issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr Selebi, a senior member of the ruling African National Congress.Last year, Mr Mbeki suspended NPA chief prosecutor Vusi Pikoli after he issued a warrant for the arrest of Mr Selebi, a senior member of the ruling African National Congress.