State witness Glenn Agliotti denied being involved in a drug dealing case ? in which he was later convicted ? when asked about it by his once friend and former top cop Jackie Selebi.

The High Court in Johannesburg on Monday heard that graft-accused Selebi asked Agliotti about reports calling him ?the landlord" of drug dealing.

"He asked me if I was the landlord, and did I own the building that [Stephanos] Paparas... was renting and I obviously said to him no not at all. I think that was his interpretation of the landlord."

Agliotti was eventually arrested in July 2006 alongside seven others in a drug bust of hashish with an estimated street value of R200-million seized in Alberton, south of Johannesburg.

He later reached a plea bargain in the drug case in which he agreed to testify against his accomplices, including Paparas.

The court also heard that Selebi never spoke to Agliotti again after his arrest.

"He never spoke to you, he never sent you any good wishes, Christmas wishes?" asked prosecutor Gerrie Nel.

"No," replied the man Selebi once called "his friend, finished and klaar".

Agliotti said Selebi had warned him about intelligence reports because of their friendship.

"At the time when the accused show me the reports he questioned me about them. I thought he was doing it out of friendship."

The UK report detailed Agliotti's trips to London and his contact details, while alleging he transported significant quantities of cocaine.

"He [Selebi] warned me of the UK report and said they were watching my movements and I said 'thank you'."

Agliotti said he did not think he had anything to hide but was "aware" during a subsequent trip to London that his movements were being monitored.

Earlier, Agliotti was adamant during cross-examination, that according to his understanding of the term, he had never bribed Selebi.

"I still maintain to this day that I never bribed the accused."

He said his lawyer Lawrence Hodes had to explain the legal definition of bribery to him.

However, Nel said Agliotti's claim that it was only through his lawyer that he came to understand what bribery meant, was a "recent fabrication" and a "concocted version".

Nel asked Agliotti to once again explain his understanding of bribery.

"If I give you money I then expect something in return, something like a tender, that is going to help or benefit me, that is what I would call bribery," replied Agliotti who was dressed in a light blue tie and dark shirt.

Nel then turned to questioning Agliotti about the particularities of his proclaimed friendship with Selebi.

He asked Agliotti why Selebi was invited to dinners with slain mining magnate Brett Kebble, his father Roger Kebble, and his associates.

"[He would come] to enhance my ability, to help me or be of assistance. It was a social event but it was important for Kebble and associates to know I was acquainted with the accused."

In fact, Agliotti ? who asked the Kebbles for a $1-million (about R7,8-million) consulting fee for access to Selebi ? later conceded that Kebble's main interest in him was his friendship with Selebi.

"Kebble's main interest was the relationship I had with the accused. They had a complaint that they needed addressed at the highest level, which we did."

Selebi knew Agliotti was working with the Kebbles, the court heard.

"I told him I was working with the Kebbles very closely. He was aware of the fact."

Agliotti said his "ongoing relationship" with Selebi consisted of regularly meeting to go shopping and have coffee.

Nel asked Agliotti if Selebi ever gave him a gift.

"No, not that I can recall."

Agliotti said besides their dinners with the Kebbles, Selebi also come to his birthday parties on three occasions.

"With the Blue Bulls fresh in my mind, did you ever go to rugby?" asked Nel.

"No nothing, whatsoever," replied Agliotti.

He also said that he had never visited Selebi at his home and neither had Selebi visited him at his.

When asked how often they would speak on the phone, Agliotti replied: "Often enough."

In terms of a deal Agliotti made with the State in the Selebi case, he would receive indemnity from prosecution on various charges if he testified "frankly and honestly".

Selebi is facing a charge of corruption and another of defeating the ends of justice in connection with at least R1.2-million he allegedly received from Agliotti and others in return for favours.