I sometimes lie - Agliotti

2009-10-13 18:50

Johannesburg - Convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti has admitted that he does lie when this is beneficial to him.

"There are certain instances when I lie," he said in the high court in Johannesburg on Tuesday in the corruption trial of former top cop Jackie Selebi.

Cross-examining Agliotti, defence lawyer Jaap Cilliers contended it was clear Agliotti had lied to get financial benefit from his relationship with Selebi.

He cited a $1m "consultancy fee" Agliotti charged slain mining magnate Brett Kebble for access to Selebi.

Cilliers said Agliotti had admitted to saying things that were "not factually correct" in an affidavit to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) on the investigation into Selebi in January 2008.

"We know that you do not hesitate to lie if you can gain financially... You can lie to authorities..."

Agliotti, dressed in a dark suit and sky blue tie, nodded his head slowly before saying "yes".

Drinking

He said extracts of his affidavit to NIA did not make sense to him because he had been drinking when it was written up.

"I had a bit of wine to drink because none of it really makes sense. I can’t really make sense of it," he said.

Agliotti made a deal with the State in the Selebi case and will receive indemnity from prosecution on charges including corruption, money laundering, racketeering and defeating the ends of justice if he testifies "frankly and honestly".

The court heard that Agliotti stated his belief on several occasions that he had never bribed Selebi.

"I never got any tenders awarded and that for me is bribery."

He said there were two occasions on which he asked Selebi for "favours", which he did not grant.

"There was a request to lift Billy Rautenbach’s warrant for his arrest and all I asked was that we be placed on the shortlist for a [SA Police Service] tender for the company [Xantium]."

Rautenbach has consequently made a deal with the State - on behalf of his company, SA Botswana Hauliers - to pay a R40m fine on 326 tax evasion charges, after being on the run from South African authorities for a decade.

He is also on the witness list in the Selebi case.

Xantium never made the shortlist for the SAPS tender bid which eventually went to Mecer.

Scorpions

Cilliers put it to Agliotti towards the close of court proceedings for the day, that he knew the Scorpions wanted "at all costs" to get to Selebi.

"You knew that you and only you were the passage that could lead them to a successful campaign or prosecution of the accused...

"And you used that information ... in order to secure yourself an immensely favourable plea bargain and other arrangements".

Agliotti agreed with this statement.

"...and of course, Mr Agliotti, we know already what your approach is to the truth once it involves your own benefit... Truth plays no role."

"Not quite true," replied Agliotti.

"Not quite incorrect either," said Cilliers.

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 Kebble, Agliotti and ex-Hyundai boss Billy Rautenbach.

- SAPA