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Journalism of Courage
Former Interpol president and South Africas ex-police commissioner Jackie Selebi has been convicted for taking bribes from the underworld gangs.
Selebi,60,was accused of taking bribes from Glenn Agliotti,a convicted drug smuggler,totalling more than 1.2 million rands (USD 166,000).
Judge Meyer Joffe at the South Gauteng High Court said that the state had proved beyond reasonable doubt that Selebi received gifts and payments from his former friend,controversial businessman Glenn Agliotti.
Selebi,who had denied the charges against him,was found not guilty of a second charge of defeating the ends of justice.
Joffe ruled that Agliotti made several payments to Selebi to pay for an Interpol dinner.
Confronted with the states case as set out above and having due regard to the poor quality of the accuseds evidence,the accuseds denial of receipt of the payment is not reasonably,possibly true, said Joffe.
The accused manufactured evidence that he placed before this court. Little credence,if any,can be given to the testimony of a witness who stoops to such low levels, he said.
Selebis sentencing is set for July 14,and in the meantime Selebi would remain free on bail.
Selebis conviction was hailed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as a true reflection of the proper administration of justice.
We have presented a formidable case and there was diligent work, NPA spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said outside the Johannesburg High Court.
This is a true reflection of the proper administration of justice. It was Agliottis drugs conviction that lifted the lid on Selebis activities.
