Dudu Busani

Dudu Busani

Safety and security minister Charles Nqakula yesterday joined President Thabo Mbeki in rejecting demands for the dismissal of National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi.

The minister said anyone who had incriminating evidence against the police chief "should come forward".

Nqakula has been under pressure from opposition parties calling for the dismissal of Selebi after the arrest of his "friend" and alleged mafia kingpin, Glenn Agliotti, in connection with the death of mining magnate Brett Kebble.

Nqakula was speaking at a meeting of the national community police consultative forum, an anti-crime initiative, in Midrand yesterday.

"The Agliotti matter is still the subject of investigation and only the outcome of that investigation . will determine whether any action should be taken against Selebi. We can't base anything just on friendship," he said.

lNqakula complimented the police for reducing the level of crime as indicated by recent statistics.

Yesterday's briefing was an initiative of the government to create and strengthen ties between the police and the communities they serve.