Candidates for the position of Western Cape police commissioner have not been selected yet, a spokesperson for national police commissioner General Riah Phiyega said on Wednesday.

“An announcement regarding a permanent [appointment] will be made soon after the necessary processes have been followed,” spokesperson Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale said.

Suspended commissioner Arno Lamoer was last month informed that his contract would not be renewed, according to a police statement.

Asked on Monday how he felt about the decision, Lamoer replied in a text message: “No comment.”

His five-year contract spanned December 1 2010 to November 30 this year.

The constitution stipulates that Phiyega had to appoint a suitable person with the concurrence of the provincial executive.

Lamoer and three brigadiers – Darius van der Ross, Sharon Govender and her husband, Colin Govender – together with businessman Salim Dawjee and his son Zameer handed themselves over at the Goodwood police station in April.

The group, all out on bail, face 109 charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering and defeating the ends of justice.

The charges against the top cops and the businessmen follow a Hawks investigation into allegations that Lamoer and Dawjee had a corrupt relationship. Dawjee allegedly gave money and gifts to the four senior police officers.

At a pre-trial hearing in the Western Cape High Court in August, the State confirmed it was ready to proceed with the trial, while the defence countered it would need several months to prepare.

The hearing was postponed to October 23.

Major General Thembisile Patekile has been in an acting position as provincial head, assisted by three deputies. News24