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01:00 11 Feb 12
Jackie Selebi is seen with a legal representative. Sapa
How Nassif met Selebi
Article By: Mirah Langer and Fienie Grobler
Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:00
Convicted drug dealer Glenn Agliotti recalled in court on
Wednesday how he arranged meetings with ex-top cop Jackie Selebi
and Clinton Nassif, who was the head of slain mining magnate Brett
Kebble's security.
Several meetings were held at Melrose Arch and Gallagher Estate
office park, Agliotti told the High Court in Johannesburg.
"I asked the accused [Selebi] if he could please afford Nassif
the opportunity of working with the SAPS [SA Police Service]," said
Agliotti, who is testifying in Selebi's graft trial.
State prosecutor Gerrie Nel also read out an email written by
former security official Paul O?Sullivan to the National
Prosecuting Authority.
In the email, O'Sullivan claimed that Nassif at one stage handed
over R50 000 in cash to Selebi.
But Selebi's lawyer, Jaap Cilliers, objected to the email,
saying it contained untested allegations that had been denied by
Nassif.
Agliotti became aware of the email after Selebi contacted him
and asked him to meet him in the parking lot of Makro in Woodmead,
Johannesburg.
Selebi gave Agliotti a bundle of documents which included the
email.
"Why did the accused, as the head of the police, hand [the
document] over to this witness in a parking [lot]?" asked Nel.
Earlier, the court heard that Agliotti was never confronted by
any South African police officer about drug trafficking despite UK
intelligence officers closely monitoring him.
He was finally arrested on a charge of drug dealing in 2006, the
same year an investigation started into his old friend, Selebi.
Agliotti, who was testifying on the third day of Selebi's graft
trial, told the court Selebi had showed him a report by UK
intelligence authorities detailing his movements abroad.
"He [Selebi] wanted to make me aware of the fact that the
authorities in the UK were monitoring my movements and he told me
so.
"I said to him, that I had nothing to worry about. It didn't
concern me.
"He [Selebi] just said that I was being monitored by the
authorities... in the UK and I asked him for a copy of the document
and he said that I could not have a copy of the document. He then
departed," Agliotti testified.
The UK report detailed Agliotti?s trips to London, his contact
details and alleged that he transported significant quantities of
cocaine.
This report was sent by UK authorities to Selebi, the court
heard.
"It will be shown by the State that these documents were sent by
the UK intelligence to the SAPS of which the accused is the head,"
said Nel.
The report asked if South African authorities could give UK
intelligence sources more information on Agliotti and Nassif.
"Have you ever been confronted by any member of the South
African Police Service about drug trafficking?" asked Nel.
"No," replied Agliotti.
The State almost did not get the opportunity to question
Agliotti on the UK report because of a typing error in the charge
sheet.
The dates in the indictment stated that crimes were allegedly
committed between 2000 and 2005, instead of between 2000 and 2006.
The UK report was discussed between Selebi and Agliotti in 2006.
Cilliers said this meant that it fell outside the time period
stated in the indictment.
But Judge Meyer Joffe granted an application by the State to
amend the dates on the charge sheet.
Agliotti once again seemed determined not to make eye contact
with Selebi, who has called him his "friend, finish and klaar".
The only time Agliotti clashed with South African authorities in
his drug dealings was when he was arrested alongside seven others
in a drug bust in Alberton, south of Johannesburg, when hashish
with an estimated street value of R200-million was seized in July
2006.
In December 2007, he pleaded guilty to a charge of dealing in
drugs and received a ten year jail sentence, suspended for five
years and a R300 000 fine. He also had to pay R200 000 into the
Criminal Assets Recovery Account.
In return, Agliotti agreed to testify against his accomplices,
including Stephanos Paparas.
Agliotti also made a deal with the State in the Selebi case and
will receive indemnity from prosecution on charges including
corruption, money laundering, racketeering and defeating the ends
of justice if he testifies "frankly and honestly".
Selebi is facing two counts of corruption and defeating the ends
of justice, related to payments of at least R1.2-million he
allegedly received from Agliotti, Kebble, and ex-Hyundai boss and
mining businessman Billy Rautenbach.
Agliotti was arrested for Kebble's 2005 murder in November 2006.
He is set to go on trial in that case next year.
The hearing continues.