Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille believes it could take some time for President Kgalema Motlanthe to fire suspended National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi.

De Lille submitted a question to the president in November last year, demanding to know why Selebi had retained his position despite the fact he faced corruption, fraud, money-laundering and racketeering charges.

The charges related to his relationship with controversial businessman and Brett Kebble murder-accused, Glen Agliotti.

The president responded by saying that he would not comment on the matter because a person was innocent until proven guilty.

"We do need to find a solution here"

De Lille said the president should seriously consider sacking Selebi.

"It's going to take years and in the meantime, you know, we need all the mechanisms at our disposal to fight crime in our country. I do agree with the minister of police in that we do need to find a solution here."

On Monday, Safety Minister Nathi Mthethwa told Talk Radio 702 and 567 Cape Talk that he had asked Motlanthe to dismiss Selebi.

"We need stability in that front so we need a permanent commissioner. So we've done that proposal, it's with the president. It's the president who appoints the commissioner."

The president's office declined to comment on the matter, saying that the issue would remain between Motlanthe and Mthethwa.

Eyewitness News