Selebi trial date set for October

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A South African court on Monday postponed the trial of suspended national police chief Jackie Selebi to October, SAPA news agency reported, in a case that has highlighted high-level corruption in the country.

Selebi is accused of receiving payments from Glenn Agliotti, a convicted drug smuggler accused of playing a role in the 2005 murder of a mining tycoon.

Selebi has fought against a postponement, saying he wanted to have his day in court as soon as possible, Reuters adds.

“Let the people have the courage to put the allegations they have to me in an open court of law — that’s why I’m angry,” SAPA quoted Selebi as saying.

“Bring it on, that’s all I’m saying, bring it on.”

SAPA said the Johannesburg High Court had set the trial date for October 5.

Critics of former President Thabo Mbeki accused him of protecting Selebi despite repeated calls for his dismissal.

Selebi, who stepped down as president of international crime-fighting agency Interpol last year, is among a number of high-profile officials who have been caught up in corruption investigations that have tainted South African politics.