South African President Thabo Mbeki announced Saturday that National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi has been given an extended leave of absence in the latest development over corruption investigations against Selebi.

Mbeki said that Selebi, 57, had requested the leave himself.

Timothy Charles Williams, Deputy National Commissioner responsible for Crime Intelligence and Detection, was named as the acting National Commissioner of Police.

Mbeki said about the moves, that "it was important that police should continue with its work as normal."

On Friday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it was ready to charge Selebi with corruption and defeating the course of justice.

"The law should take its course," Mbeki said.

Selebi - who is chairman of Interpol - is under suspicion of having a corrupt relationship with a friend in the crime world. He had vainly fought in court for a temporary restraining order against any charges to be pressed against him.