Selebi's office mum on Agliotti

2007-12-06 10:00

Johannesburg - National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi's office did not want to comment on the plea bargaining and 10-year suspended sentence for drug trafficking handed down to Glenn Agliotti on Wednesday.

Spokesperson for police head office Director Sally de Beer said on Thursday, "You must have noticed it was a Scorpions' case so you will have to phone them."

Tlali Tlali, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, under whose domain the Scorpions fall, said: "Our view as the NPA is that we are very satisfied with the proceedings. That is the highest penalty that the court could give."

In terms of a plea agreement brokered with the Scorpions, Agliotti was fined R300 000 and will have to pay back R200 000 as the proceeds of crime, in return for testimony at a major drugs trial in 2008. His sentence is suspended for five years.

Admitted drug charges

Agliotti admitted to helping transport a consignment of marijuana to Canada and importing hashish from Iran.

He had been due to go on trial in March 2008 with Stephanos Paparas, his father Dimitrio Paparas, and Stanley Poonin. A former co-accused, Clinton Nassif, has also entered into a plea agreement in the same case.

Selebi has come under fire for admitting that he and Agliotti, who has been charged with the murder of mining magnate Brett Kebble, met for coffee and were friends.

In September the Scorpions secured a warrant of arrest for Selebi but this investigation went under review after the National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli was suspended shortly afterwards.

The review has been completed and the NDPP is yet to pronounce on its findings.

"That will be very soon," said Tlali.

Asked whether Selebi featured in any of the "other cases" Agliotti would be assisting the Scorpions with, Agliotti's lawyer Laurence Hodes said outside the court on Wednesday, "We will have to wait and see. It hasn't been resolved yet."

Beeld on Thursday reported unnamed sources as saying that Agliotti had agreed to assist the NPA in its investigation against Selebi. He is expected to be charged with corruption, fraud, blackmail and obstruction of justice.

The Scorpions, which fall under the jurisdiction of the justice department, conduct investigations independently of the SA Police Service, which falls under the safety and security portfolio.

Tensions over turf between the two, and criticism that some of the Scorpions' investigations are politically motivated, have led to suggestions that they be absorbed into the safety and security department.

- SAPA