Suspended National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi's 14 April corruption trial is unlikely to start on time.

The National Prosecuting Authority said it was considering going to the Supreme Court of Appeal after the Johannesburg High Court refused an application for leave to appeal an order compelling prosecutors to give the defence team evidence.

In handing down his ruling, Judge Nico Coetzee expressed concern about Selebi's trial starting on time.

The national police commissioner's lawyer Wynanda Coetzee said prosecutors were playing games.

"We still think they might try and postpone the trial," she said.

The NPA's Tlali Tlali said, "In all likelihood, the state is going to petition the Supreme Court of Appeal in this regard."

Selebi's defence team will consult with him and will on Monday tell the judge president whether it wants to proceed with the trial next month.