Former intelligence official takes stand at Selebi trial

Former intelligence coordinator Barry Gilder has confirmed the existence of a draft intelligence report that expresses concern that former police boss Jackie Selebi was paid money by late mining magnate Brett Kebble and his family.

A paragraph in the report, dated October 10 2005, mentions activities around Namibian businessman Jurgen Kogl.

The executive summary of the draft report says: “[Kogl] is gathering information on supposed illegal activities of SAPS national commissioner Jackie Selebi. He claims that the national commissioner received large sums of money from the Kebbles emanating from questionable business deals concluded on his behalf.”

Selebi’s corruption trial resumed with a slow start on Monday, as Judge Meyer Joffe asked the media and public to leave during Gilder’s testimony, which State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele made numerous attempts to prevent for fear it would compromise state security.

The transcript of the testimony will be made available to the public shortly.

Earlier, Selebi’s defence counsel, Jaap Cilliers, said: “We would prefer the witness to testify in open court — but we don’t want to waste further time.”

Following Gilder’s testimony, the state may decide to call up a few further witnesses, but the end of its case is within sight.