NONI MOKATI

JOHANNESBURG - Embattled former Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi could easily have passed as the famous pied-piper yesterday as crowds followed him everywhere he went.

Shortly after Judge Meyer Joffe’s verdict, a handful of journalists firmly clutched their notebooks in the hope of getting a word or two from the convicted former police chief.

Not sure what to do, Selebi and his family gathered inside the cubicle of a consulting room outside the public gallery where he took a few minutes to absorb what had just happened.

A man, who appeared to be a family member, sobbed almost uncontrollably. He was seen to have been comforted by Selebi’s brother, George.

Eager to see their client, Selebi’s defence team rushed into the consulting room where advocate Jaap Cilliers was seen speaking to him.

Outside the main doors of the South Gauteng High Court photographers and cameramen swamped Selebi as he made his exit.

While this happened, Selebi, together with an entourage which included his defence team, yet again took a few minutes in the main foyer, apparently to devise a plan on how to escape the hype.

Police officials stood a few steps away while keeping a watchful eye on onlookers.

Nothing, however, could be compared to the chaos which erupted as Selebi walked out of the court to his car in Pritchard Street.

As he crossed the street, a crowd of bystanders pushed and shoved in an attempt to catch a glimpse of him.

Selebi’s car – a green BMW – negotiated its way through the crowd and Selebi’s driver made a dash for it.

Earlier in the day, an eerie feeling had gripped the public gallery when the lights switched on and off three times. This had forced Judge Meyer Joffe to adjourn the court for five minutes.