Nassif grilling continues

2010-07-30 13:39

Johannesburg - Heated exchanges between defence advocate Laurence Hodes and Brett Kebble's former security boss Clinton Nassif ensued in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg as cross examination continued on Friday.

Hodes pointed out "contradictions" in Nassif's statement to the Scorpions and his testimony to the court which he gave on Thursday.

The two men interrupted each other and shouted over each other, with Nassif getting flustered, as Hodes attempted to get him to admit he was lying.

This prompted Judge Frans Kgomo to intervene, telling Nassif not to "get emotional" and urging Hodes not to interrupt.

It emerged that Kebble's business partner John Stratton, during a meeting in Cape Town, gave Nassif a knife to "take care" of former Allan Gray auditor Stephen Mildenhall.

This was not mentioned in the statement.

Hodes wanted to know why Nassif apportioned responsibility for Mildenhall's shooting to Agliotti in his testimony to the court, but not in the statement.

In the statement, Nassif said he negotiated with Stratton on the R1m payment for the "job".

In his testimony he told the court he and Agliotti discussed the fee before hand and then gave the figure to Stratton.

Nassif, a tall burly man, slouched in the witness stand, frequently taking sips of water. He was visibly shaken by Hodes, who repeatedly told him he was lying.

As Kgomo adjourned for tea, he advised the prosecution to assist their client and tell him to remain calm and not interject when the defence asked a question.

He told Nassif that if he felt "angry" and "ready to burst" he should say so and Kgomo would give him time to calm down.

- SAPA