IFP PRESS STATEMENT BY: 
MR VELAPHI NDLOVU MP
IFP SAFETY AND SECURITY SPOKESPERSON

26th June 2008

The Inkatha Freedom Party wants to deplore, in the strongest possible terms, the announcement that President Thabo Mbeki has renewed National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi's contract for another year, said Mr Velaphi Ndlovu, the IFP Safety and Security Spokesperson.

Mr Ndlovu commented: "We are totally shocked by this decision. We don't understand why Government would extend the Commissioner's contract while he is still being investigated for corruption and defeating the ends of justice.

Surely, his contract should only be renewed once he is cleared of all the charges against him? 

"The IFP, during the Safety and Security Budget Vote, called on Government to release Commissioner Selebi from his position and to appoint a new person to the post, so that the new Commissioner could find his or her feet before the kick-off of the 2010 World Cup. 

"We believe that extending Commissioner Jackie Selebi's contract is really a bad move on Government's part. The SAPS is clearly in dire need of good leadership, which was proved during the recent Xenophobic attacks that engulfed our county," concluded Mr Ndlovu.