Convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti broke down in tears in the High Court in Johannesburg on Thursday, saying he did not want to testify against his former friend Jackie Selebi.

"My Lord, it's not easy being here? I didn't want to be here to testify against my then friend and the accused," said Agliotti of his testimony in the former police chief's corruption trial.

Shortly before breaking down in tears, he said: "My lord, it's not easy being here. I don't particularly like Mr Nel [the State prosecutor] and I say that with respect. I believe the accused doesn't like Mr Nel and I don't think many people that I know like Mr Nel, and I say that with respect.?

"Do you want a few moments to compose yourself?" asked Judge Meyer Joffe.

The court adjourned briefly, with State prosecutor Gerrie Nel ? who took the insult with a poker face ? walking over to Agliotti, who had removed his glasses and was wiping tears from his eyes.

Selebi, dressed in a navy suit and orange and red tie, walked out of court with a sardonic smile, remarking to reporters: "He needs a box of tissues for tomorrow," referring to Agliotti's cross-examination.

Agliotti, wearing a dusty rose shirt and charcoal and pink tie, also left the court room and returned to the witness stand a few minutes later.

Agliotti broke down while Nel was questioning him about an affidavit signed in January this year, in which he criticised the way in which the Scorpions were handling his case.

He told the court that the affidavit was handed over to former intelligence boss Manala Manzini, deputy director general of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Arthur Fraser and police commissioner Mulangi Mphego.

"I wanted somebody to hear my side of the story.. in order to try and secure a deal for myself," said Agliotti.

This affidavit was used by Selebi in 2008 in an unsuccessful attempt to have the charges against him dropped.

Some of the contents of the affidavit were not factual, Agliotti admitted in court.

But he said he was led to believe there was a possibility of him making a deal through the NIA.

Affidavit missing?

The court heard that an original copy of this affidavit could not be found by either the prosecution or Selebi's lawyer, Jaap Cilliers.

"It must in the possession of National Intelligence," suggested Cilliers.

Clinton Nassif, an associate of Agliotti who was also the head of security for slain mining magnate Brett Kebble, had sent a message to Agliotti through his ex-wife that he should try and get a deal for himself.

Nassif told the ex-wife that he, Nassif, had done a deal with the authorities.

"I was angry at the fact that I was in jail. They've all done a deal with various people. At the time of making the statement, My lord, I'd been in jail, I'd been in house arrest," testified Agliotti.

"My life had basically been put on hold. My family had been exposed to a severe armed robbery. I was frustrated and angry at the time.

"I felt that I had to appeal to somebody to listen to my story and look at my situation."

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 Kebble, Agliotti and ex-Hyundai boss Billy Rautenbach.

Agliotti agreed to testify against Selebi ? who once called him his "friend, finish and klaar" ? in return for indemnity from prosecution on any criminal charges relating to the Selebi case.

Agliotti is facing a separate charge of murder following the killing of Kebble in 2005.

Read more from the Selebi trial...