Family asks media for privacy to mourn disgraced Selebi

DISGRACED former police commissioner Jackie Selebi’s wife Anne was at his bedside when he lost his battle against kidney disease.

According to his family, Selebi, 64, had been in an induced coma.

He died at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria yesterday morning.

Selebi fell from grace after being found guilty of corruption and taking bribes from convicted drug dealer Glenn Aglioitti in 2010. He was sentenced to 15 years in jail, but was released on medical parole on July 20, 2012, much to the disapproval of many.

The former commissioner began serving his sentence in 2011, but was released from Pretoria Central Prison less than a year later.

Close family friend Welile Nhlapo, who addressed the media outside Selebi’s Waterkloof home yesterday, said everyone was shocked at the news.

“When the doctor comes to you and tells you that they’ve done everything they could, you have to accept,” Nhlapo said.

He added that Selebi’s wife had been with him when he died. The rest of the family had arrived at the hospital later.

Nhlapo said Selebi’s death had dealt his family a major blow, in spite of the fact that they had been aware that his death was imminent.

Family spokesman Nthato Selebi told the media the family was distraught, and asked for privacy so they could mourn.

The family had yet to confirm details of funeral arrangements, Nthato Selebi said.

“As a family, we are devastated by his passing and will remember him by his good deeds, characterised by love, compassion and humility.”

Selebi was born in Joburg in 1950. He and Anne had two children, Clifford and Elton.

Jackie Selebi.