Publication: Business Day Issued: Date: 2006-12-14 Reporter: Ernest Mabuza Reporter:

’Assisted Suicide’ Claim Rocks Kebble Probe

 

Publication 

Business Day
Date 2006-12-14

Reporter

 Ernest Mabuza

Web Link

www.businessday.co.za

 

Brett Kebble murder-accused Glenn Agliotti was placed under strict house arrest yesterday as Scorpions investigators widened their probe into what they said was their biggest investigation yet into organised crime.

Agliotti’s sensational “assisted suicide” claim has rocked the local business world, especially given Kebble’s government connections, and Agliotti’s unexplained “friendship” with police chief Jackie Selebi.

The prosecution did not oppose bail but asked for strict bail conditions to ensure Agliotti did not interfere with witnesses as it told the court that his arrest was now part of a bigger investigation into organised crime.

It also emerged in court that the state wanted to include former JCI director John Stratton as a suspect in the Kebble murder case. Stratton lives in Australia.

The state also said Agliotti was being investigated in connection with a crime linking him to drug- dealing ­ which was being heard in Germiston ­ and another fraud case linked to JCI. The Scorpions yesterday confirmed Agliotti will be an accused in a major drug-smuggling case.

The drug case began when the Scorpions seized dagga and hashish with a street value of R250m in Alberton in July. Three people have been arrested in that case and it is believed Agliotti will feature in the trial.

In arguing for bail, Agliotti’s lawyer, Lawrence Hodes, said it might take the state as long as a year to secure the presence of Stratton in court.

In his 17-page affidavit, Agliotti said there were many dry runs before the actual murder. He said Kebble initially planned to drug his pilot, causing his plane to crash, but later opted for a botched car hijacking.

“After numerous dry runs and plans, he was killed in this manner by persons who have been identified by the state and apparently granted Section 204 indemnity for the roles that they played,” Agliotti’s affidavit read.

Hodes said exceptional circumstances existed for Agliotti’s release on bail. These included the fact that his health required him to keep to a special diet and that the investigation was at an early stage. He also said the fact that Kebble’s murder was an assisted suicide *1 was also an exceptional circumstance.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel said Agliotti took part in the arrangement and planning of the murder.

“We believe we have a strong case. The murder could be termed an assisted suicide. We believe we could go to trial very early next year, but there will be further arrests and these will delay the trial.”

Kebble was shot seven times in September last year while driving to Houghton. Kebble was the CEO of three mining companies, JCI, Randgold and Exploration and Western Areas, until a month before his death but had been forced to stand down as his debts mounted and he became increasingly alienated from former business partners.

Agliotti, who is close to Selebi, was arrested last month by the Scorpions. Agliotti’s arrest and Selebi’s alleged links to criminal activities threaten to undermine confidence within the police service. President Thabo Mbeki has faced mounting calls to dismiss Selebi for admitting friendship with Agliotti.

Magistrate Chris Eksteen set bail at R500 000 and ordered Agliotti to hand all his passports to the state. He told Agliotti not to apply for passports before the end of his trial.

Eksteen also said Agliotti should be available to answer his home telephone at all times. The trial was postponed to January 25.

With acknowledgements to Ernest Mabuza and Business Day.

*1       Very little else make sense considering the facts and the circumstances.

That's why this was my theory the day after the death.

Sunday Times
Rowan Philip
2005-10-30
www.sundaytimes.co.za , http://www.armsdeal-vpo.co.za/articles08/kebble_insured.html

Koch said Kebble's wife, Ingrid, was the sole beneficiary listed on both Liberty policies. He said the policies were structured to pay out for all causes of death, except suicide or assisted suicide *1. "They were standard policies for life cover, with a suicide exception clause," said Koch.

With acknowledgements to Rowan Philip and the Sunday Times.

*1  "It's my theory and I'm sticking to it."