'I bought shoes for Mbeki'

2009-10-07 13:22

Johannesburg - Convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti bought former president Thabo Mbeki a pair of shoes from Grays in Sandton, he told the high court in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

"I definitely bought shoes for the accused [former top cop Jackie Selebi] and for one other person," Agliotti testified.

State prosecutor Gerrie Nel asked who this person was.

"The ex-president, Mr Thabo Mbeki. We were at Grays. The accused was looking to buy the president a pair of shoes. I just happened to be with them.

"He needed to buy a size 7 because the president had small and broad feet. They proceeded to show us a few pairs and then I asked the shop assistant to please put that pair of shoes on my account as I wished to purchase them for the president."

Agliotti is testifying in Selebi's corruption trial.

Selebi is facing two counts of corruption and defeating the ends of justice, related to payments of at least R1.2m he allegedly received from Agliotti, slain mining magnate Brett Kebble, and ex-Hyundai boss and mining businessman Billy Rautenbach.

- SAPA