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Agliotti: Selebi knew of probe
24/11/2006 11:09 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The national police commissioner, Jackie Selebi, was "well aware" of an investigation into the alleged crimes of businessman Glenn Agliotti, the Mail&Guardian reported on Friday.
Agliotti was arrested last Thursday in connection with the murder of the mining magnate Brett Kebble.
Selebi, it appeared, knew of a an investigation by the police's serious and violent crimes unit into Agliotti and his involvement with Palto - a squad of "freelance operatives" or anti-crime vigilantes. They operated under pretence of being policemen. Palto allegedly used Selebi and police as their cover.
The report questioned statements by Selebi that he knew Agliotti since 1992 or 1994 as "a friend, finish and klaar..." and that he did not know of criminal investigations into Agliotti's affairs.
Evidence of Agliotti's alleged criminal activities and involvement with Palto had been available to Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula as far back as 2003.
The Mail&Guardian quoted from affidavits submitted by Palto members and a policeman as part of the serious and violent crime unit investigation. These commented on the close relationship between Agliotti and Palto on the one hand, and Palto and the police on the other.
Charles Bezuidenhout, a policeman who worked with Palto, was quoted as saying in his affidavit: "Agliotti was or is still involved with the Italian, Russian and Chinese mafias. It was also put to me that Commissioner Selebi was aware of these operations."
The report also quoted Judge Willem Heath as claiming the Kebble family used Agliotti's access to Selebi to lobby him repeatedly over cases police were investigating against Brett Kebble and his father, Roger.
According to Heath, from 2003 to 2004, Agliotti met Selebi once every two months "if not more often" to discuss criminal cases against the Kebbles involving alleged fraud and share manipulation, the Mail&Guardian reported.
- SAPA
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