Selebi defence to wrap up case

2010-06-10 08:02

Johannesburg - The defence in the Jackie Selebi corruption trial is expected to wrap up its closing arguments in the South Gauteng High Court on Thursday.

Defence counsel Jaap Cilliers told the court on Wednesday that he will cover details of the 2002 Kya Sands drug bust.

The State alleges that Selebi protected convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti from prosecution related to this matter.

Aspects already covered during the defence's closing arguments include Selebi's alleged corrupt relationship with Agliotti and large sums of money he allegedly received from him in return for favours.

Agliotti evidence disputed

Cilliers has also cast doubt on Agliotti's evidence, saying the State's star witness was a manipulative liar.

He also disputed the State's case that money Agliotti gave Selebi had been from the Kebble mining family, saying the state had failed to prove its case.

"We submit that it was incumbent on the State to prove that a gratification was made and received with the specific unlawful intent to secure an unlawful purpose on the one hand and to provide an unlawful quid pro quo [something for something] on the other hand as an intended quid pro quo for such gratification received," he said.

It was also "ridiculous" for the State to suggest the former top cop showed Agliotti a United Kingdom intelligence report to warn him of drug smuggling investigations against him by the UK authorities, Celliers said.

Selebi has pleaded not guilty to corruption and defeating the ends of justice charges.

He stands accused of receiving cash payments amounting to R1.2mn from Agliotti and the Kebble mining family.

- SAPA