Anatomy of a friendship emerges

2009-11-02 22:45

Johannesburg - Curious details of the relationship between former friends Jackie Selebi and convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti emerged in court on Monday.

While coffee dates and shopping trips were aplenty, Agliotti - the first State witness in the former top-cop's corruption trial in the South Gauteng High Court - conceded neither had ever visited the other's home.

Agliotti has gone into great detail in his days on the witness stand about the expensive clothes and shoes he purchased for Selebi out of friendship.

On Monday State prosecutor Gerrie Nel asked him if he had ever received a gift from Selebi.

"No, not that I can recall," replied Agliotti.

Birthday parties

Besides attending three of Agliotti's birthday parties, their other social engagements were limited to dinners with slain mining magnate Brett Kebble, his father Roger, and his associates.

"It was a social event, but it was important for Kebble and associates to know I was acquainted with the accused."

Agliotti, who asked the Kebbles for a $1m consulting fee for access to Selebi, said Selebi was the guest of honour at these dinners.

"Kebble's main interest was the relationship I had with the accused."

Selebi also knew of Agliotti's extensive involvement with the Kebbles, the court heard.

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

Activities

Nel pressed Agliotti for details of further leisure activities Selebi and he enjoyed together.

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

"No, nothing whatsoever," Agliotti said.

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

On Monday Agliotti remained adamant 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."

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

Information

The court heard that friendship was the motivation for Selebi informing him about intelligence reports tracking his movements.

"When the accused showed me the reports he questioned me about them. I thought he was doing it out of friendship."

A report by UK authorities 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'."

When Selebi once asked him about involvement in a drug case he was later convicted in, he denied everything, Agliotti said.

Landlord

Agliotti told the court Selebi approached him 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 bust in which hashish with an estimated street value of R200m was seized in Alberton, south of Johannesburg.

He later struck a plea bargain and agreed to testify against his accomplices, including Paparas.

Abrupt halt to friendship

The Agliotti-Selebi friendship came to an abrupt halt after Agliotti’s arrest.

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

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

Monday's court proceedings were punctuated with bickering between the defence and State.

Defence lawyer Jaap Cilliers objected several times during Nel's re-examination, saying he was overstepping his mandate.

"Re-examination is not to get another answer. He can clear up uncertainties," said Cilliers.

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 R1.2m he allegedly received from Agliotti and others in return for favours.

- SAPA