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Interpol confirms resignation of its embattled chief

Interpol announced on Sunday the resignation of its president, Jackie Selebi, South Africa's chief of police, who has been placed on extended leave on suspicion of corruption.

"The general secretariat of Interpol today received a letter from Jackie Selebi ... confirming his resignation with immediate effect," the international police agency said in a statement.

"Mr Selebi's decision was taken in the interests of Interpol," it said.

South African President Thabo Mbeki on Saturday ordered Selebi to take an indefinite leave of absence in view of his possible prosecution on charges of taking money from a businessman accused of murder.

On Friday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it would charge Selebi over his links to businessman Glenn Agliotti, who has been charged over the 2005 murder of mining magnate Brett Kebble.

At a hearing at the Pretoria high court on Friday, Selebi failed in a bid to have the prosecution halted.

The NPA said Agliotti, whom Selebi acknowledges as a long-time friend, paid him more than 1.2 million rand (US$175,000) over an 18-month period in 2004 and 2005.

Acting NPA head Mokotedi Mpshe said prosecutors also have evidence to show Selebi tipped off Agliotti that detectives investigating Kebble's murder had unearthed phone records showing that Agliotti made a phone call from the scene of the killing.

Mbeki said Selebi agreed that his continued presence at his desk would be a distraction until the law "takes its course" and he had consequently stood down.

Selebi has consistently denied any wrongdoing, insisting "my hands are clean" while his lawyers argued on Friday that the case was vague.

The main South African opposition, the Democratic Alliance, berated Selebi on Sunday for bringing the country into disrepute.

"If jail terms were given for bringing shame to a nation, police commissioner Jackie Selebi should serve a life sentence," party safety and security spokeswoman Dianne Kohler-Barnard said.

"He had had no option whatsoever but to resign as chairperson of Interpol -- a position that should have brought immense honour to this country but has instead brought utter disgrace," she said.

A warrant for Selebi's arrest was initially obtained by the NPA in September, but was canceled after Mbeki suspended the director of public prosecutions.
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