The Trial of SA's Former Police Boss

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It is the latest soap opera to hit town. The trial of Jackie Selebi, South Africa's former national commissioner of police, and Interpol chief. He faces three charges of corruption and one charge of defeating the ends of justice. Pusch Commey has been following the drama.

THE ASTONISHING ALLEGATIONS against Jackie Selebi, the former police boss, include a corrupt relationship with a crime boss going by the nickname "The Landlord". The self-confessed convicted drug lord, Glenn Agliotti, is allegedly also linked to the murder of his other friend, the flamboyant entrepreneur Brett Kebble, who was shot dead in his car by an assailant in September 2005.

When confronted by the press in days past, Selebi dismissively told them that Agliotti was his friend "finished and klaar" (an Afrikaans word for "that's it"). Now that friendship has been put to a severe test as Agliotti emerges as the star witness in Selebi's case.

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The state is attempting to prove that Selebi received payments and gifts from Agliotti to shield him and his gang from investigations into his drug dealing and other business. In court, it seemed there …