Agliotti tells how he 'looked after' Selebi

Even before the first witness was called, Selebi and two former National Directors of Public Prosecutions traded allegations. Then things really heated up when convicted drug dealer Glenn Agliotti spilt the beans, alleging, according to the Mail & Guardian Online, that he paid Selebi R1m in rands and US dollars. Agliotti, the state's first witness, told the court how Selebi had benefited financially from their relationship, and how he had 'looked after' Selebi. This included sponsoring an Interpol dinner in France, and tens of thousands of rands worth of expensive gifts, clothing and luxury handbags for Selebi and his family. The state alleges that the payments were bribes to secure Selebi's influence in crucial police matters. Full Mail & Guardian Online report

Access to Selebi came at a price, according to a report on the IoL site, which notes Agliotti allegedly charged slain mining magnate Brett Kebble a $1m 'consulting fee'. The report says Agliotti testified how he was introduced to Kebble, his father Roger Kebble, and Kebble's confidante John Stratton by their head of security, Paul Stemmet. Agliotti set up a meeting with Selebi and several other police officers where former Judge Willem Heath represented the JCI, the company of which Kebble was CEO. Stratton and Agliotti also attended this meeting. The report notes that the purpose of the meeting was to 'present their complaint and case to SAPS and then obviously to have it further investigated'. Full report on the IoL site

The Times reports that Agliotti had the court enthralled with his account of how he had the country's most senior policeman on his payroll for years. The paper said Agliotti claimed he began buying Selebi the luxuries his heart desired soon after his appointment in 1999. According to the report, Agliotti also alleged he received $100 000 from former Hyundai boss and convicted tax dodger Billy Rautenbach for securing Selebi's influence in Rautenbach's favour. He testified that Rautenbach paid him cash for delivering documents to Selebi, the report notes. Full report in The Times

And yesterday (Wednesday) Agliotti outlined an alleged episode of bribery. He claimed he organised a dinner meeting between Selebi and Jordanian billionaire Eyhab Jumean at which the top cop was asked to intervene in a 'blackmailing' issue, notes a report in The Times. 'He (Jumean) wanted the accused (Selebi) to know that a South African was blackmailing this international businessman and the person doing this blackmailing was a police reservist. He (Selebi) would have this incident investigated,' Agliotti said. He said the meeting was attended by Selebi, Jumean, himself, Selebi's secretary and alleged lover Ntombi Matshoba, and Kebble's security head, Clinton Nassif. It is understood the discussion related to a sex-tape extortion scandal in which Jumean's now ex-wife, former Miss Teen SA Gina Athans, was allegedly embroiled with her ex-boyfriend, reservist Bradford 'Bad Brad' Wood. The report notes that Nassif previously claimed in the media that Wood threatened to release a sex tape of himself with Athans unless he was paid R700 000. Wood has denied the claims and yesterday told the paper he would take legal action. Full report in The Times

Selebi opened a can of worms at the start the trial, accusing two ex-chief prosecutors of fabricating evidence against him and fraternising with criminals, notes a News24 report. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption and defeating the ends of justice. The former NPA heads have denied Selebi's claims. Full News24 report