Johannesburg — AXED national police commissioner Jackie Selebi looks set to go quietly, with his lawyer Wynanda Coetzee saying yesterday he was unlikely to challenge President Jacob Zuma 's decision to not renew his contract.

Former president Thabo Mbeki put Selebi on special leave in January last year pending the outcome of allegations of corruption and defeating the ends of justice. Mbeki renewed Selebi's contract last year for 12 months.

The case is yet to go to trial.

"At this stage there is no indication that Mr Selebi will challenge the decision. He will hold discussions with President Zuma, and release a statement later in the month," Coetzee said.

It is understood that Zuma wrote to Selebi this week informing him that his contract would not be renewed. He has gone on record saying SA needed a permanent police commissioner and promised that once Selebi's contract had ended "decisive decision" would be taken.

The allegations against Selebi have dented public confidence in the police.

With the government making crime a priority for the next five years, Selebi's departure gives Zuma a chance to replace him with someone perceived to be tough on crime.

As president, it is Zuma's prerogative to appoint a national police commissioner. Among those being touted as Selebi's replacement are his deputy, Andre Pruis, KwaZulu-Natal community safety MEC Bheki Cele, divisional commissioner Gary Kruser and former ANC chief whip Nathi Nhleko. Commissioner Tim Williams, who has been acting in Selebi's post, was not considered a front-runner, sources said.

Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa told Parliament yesterday that SA would have a permanent commissioner by the end of this month.

"We will within a month have a permanent national commissioner ... who will certainly have his or her work cut out (for them) to ensure accountability, co-ordination, and consistent and effective communication," Mthethwa said.

However, he apparently also admitted that Selebi would receive his salary until the end of next month.

The Democratic Alliance's police spokeswoman, Dianne Kohler Barnard, said: "Mthethwa admitted ... that commissioner Selebi must be given two months' notice if his contract is not to be renewed -- and that this has not yet been done ... raises the question: if the Zuma administration wants to replace Selebi, why did it not notify him timeously?

"Was the administration simply dithering, or is it unutterably incompetent?" With Sapa