Johannesburg — SAFETY and Security Minister Nathi Mthethwa has asked President Kgalema Motlanthe to appoint a permanent police commissioner. Tim Williams has been acting commissioner since Jackie Selebi was put on extended leave a year ago.

Mthethwa said the department needed stability.

Last January, former president Thabo Mbeki granted Selebi "leave of absence" following an announcement that he would be charged with corruption. Mthethwa said yesterday he had written to Motlanthe requesting that a permanent police commissioner be appointed.

Williams has been caretaker commissioner since Selebi's failed Pretoria High Court bid to force the National Prosecuting Authority to disclose details of its charges against him.

The counts against Selebi of corruption and defeating the administration of justice are linked to his relationship with Glenn Agliotti, a convicted drug smuggler accused of murdering mining boss Brett Kebble . The state claims Selebi took bribes from Agliotti to shield him from investigation.

Mbeki extended Selebi's contract in June last year until July this year. He explained at the time that he wanted to await the outcome of Selebi's trial, set to take place between April and June this year, before taking a final decision on his employment.

In September 2007, a warrant of arrest was issued for Selebi but was withdrawn after Mbeki suspended national director of public prosecutions Vusi Pikoli.

Mthethwa's spokesman, Hangwani Mulaudzi, yesterday said when the minister took office in September he had indicated that he wanted to have a permanent police commissioner.

"It is true that there is correspondence that has been sent to the president. We are not sure when the Presidency will respond," Mulaudzi said.

In an interview with Talk Radio 702 on Monday, Mthethwa called for a permanent commissioner to be appointed immediately. "We need stability in that front. We need a permanent commissioner. So we have done that proposal to the president."

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed Mthethwa's decision and said Motlanthe should now dismiss Selebi immediately.

"Almost as outrageous as the charges facing commissioner Selebi is the fact that he remains on the government payroll, drawing a R1m annual salary. His long-term suspension, about to enter its second year, sets a woeful precedent for how serious allegations of corruption in the South African Police Service are tackled," DA safety and security spokeswoman Dianne Kohler Barnard said.

Without a permanent commissioner, the police lacked the necessary leadership to move forward and make real inroads into the crime epidemic, she said. Mthethwa was right to acknowledge the urgent need for a new commissioner, "but it is disappointing that it has taken so long for the government to recognise this fact".