Selebi

Intelligence information from British law and order authorities had two years ago identified Cape Town harbour as a key shipment point of drugs being trafficked into the UK by a syndicate led by Glenn Agliotti.

In 2004 British intelligence alerted South African authorities that the Agliotti syndicate intended shipping three containers filled with cocaine from Cape Town.

This sensitive information was allegedly leaked to Agliotti by suspended Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi.

The commissioner allegedly also informed Agliotti that British authorities suspected him of drug trafficking and had over a period been monitoring his activities.

The startling revelation is contained in the report compiled by an independent panel appointed to review criminal charges against Selebi.

According to the information in the British intelligence report, Agliotti was suspected of trafficking vast quantities of cocaine into the UK.

In about 2004 the British authorities alerted their South African counterparts about his activities.

A letter dated August 3, 2004, detailing the allegations was sent to the South Africans. It was this letter that Selebi supposedly showed to Agliotti.

The letter alleged that Agliotti and his associates couriered the drugs by air from Venezuela to Angola, then transported the contraband by road to Johannesburg.

"Unidentified South Americans are responsible for the movement of cocaine from Venezuela to Johannesburg. However, intelligence suggests that it is transported by Boeing 747 aircraft from Caracas to Angola, then by truck, during daylight hours to South Africa," the letter said.

The drugs were then allegedly stored in warehouses around Johannesburg before being shipped from Cape Town harbour to the United Kingdom.

The letter from the British authorities warned that the Agliotti syndicate intended sending a shipment to the UK imminently.

"The organisation intends to send three 'dirty' containers from South Africa to the UK. Prior, to this three 'clean' containers will be dispatched to act as cover should one be called for examination.

"A dummy run took place on June 18, 2004, using the Johannesburg-Cape Town-Tilbury, UK route," the letter said.

The report by the independent panel slates Selebi's decision to share the information with Agliotti and suggests it constituted criminal conduct.

"By its very nature it should have caused South African law enforcement officials to start their own investigations on Agliotti's alleged activities," said the report.

Agliotti last year pleaded guilty to drug charges leading to a 10-year suspended sentence and a R300 000 fine.

He also forfeited R200 000 as proceeds of crime and undertook to testify for the Scorpions in any case they called him for.

The plea bargain agreement related to a R250 million hashish bust in 2006.

Taxpayers liable to foot the bill for Selebi’s defence. Business day.

SUSPENDED national police commissioner Jackie Selebi has one less worry.

Should he apply for state legal assistance for his coming corruption trial, it is expected to be approved by the state attorney, meaning it will be taxpayer s footing the bill for his defence.

Yesterday, Selebi’s lawyers were informed by prosecutors that he must appear in the Randburg Regional Court on January 30. Selebi and his legal team will meet today to discuss the date. A decision could be finalised by noon, said Selebi’s advocate, Fanus Coetzee .

Early this month, President Thabo Mbeki acceded to Selebi’s request for extended leave , with full pay, after it was announced the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) planned to charge SA’s police chief with corruption and defeating the ends of justice.

He allegedly received payments, to the tune of R1,2m , from convicted drug dealer Glenn Agliotti, turning a blind eye to drug smuggling, and g ave key information about police activity to suspected criminals.

The state attorney recently approved funding for legal defence to apartheid-era germ-warfare expert Wouter Basson , apartheid-era policeman Eugene de Kock and African National Congress president Jacob Zuma in criminal matters, despite all three being accused of crimes while in office.

Also, because Selebi is employed in the safety and security department, should the state attorney approve legal aid, Selebi’s defence would be funded from the coffers of the department responsible for fighting crime.

Government sources said yesterday Selebi would be entitled to legal help if he, like Zuma, motivated that he was being “attacked” due to his office.

“According to Act 56 of 1957, the state attorney can provide legal assistance to anyone that works for the state, based on their motivation and the state attorney’s discretion. The justice minister also has veto powers in such a matter ,” the source said.

It is understood that, because Selebi is already being represented by highly regarded advocate Jaap Cilliers, if the state attorney approves funding, Cilliers would probably be retained as his counsel.

“Common sense says it would be pointless to bring another lawyer in, even if cheaper, as he or she would need to start from scratch,” the source said.

Cilliers has represented Basson and former security policeman Gideon Nieuwoudt.

Yesterday, the justice department said it had not seen any application by Selebi for legal aid.

The application would have to be approved by acting national police commissioner Tim Williams before it is considered by either the state attorney or Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla.

It is understood that, if Selebi’s defence is funded by the state and he is found guilty, the state attorney would be entitled to recover costs.