/ 12 October 2007

Nassif enters into plea bargain with Scorpions

Clinton Nassif, the former security chief of the late Brett Kebble, has entered into a plea bargain with the Scorpions, the Germiston Magistrate’s Court heard on Friday.

Scorpions prosecutor Gerrie Nel told magistrate James Van Wyk that Nassif had entered into the plea bargain relating to the drug dealing charges against him.

”An agreement was reached to enter into the plea agreement of Section 105A of the Criminal Procedures Act,” said Nel.

Nassif, who appeared in the dock, was arrested on Tuesday in connection with his involvement in a syndicate that was to export R250-million worth of drugs to the United States.

The syndicate involved Nassif, Glenn Agliotti, Stephanos Dimitrio Paparas and Stanley Poonin.

Investigators seized 1 114kg of dagga and 2 064kg of hashish at the time of their arrest.

Nassif’s attorney Marius du Toit said Nassif’s ten year sentence with a five year suspension had come about because of a ”technicality”.

This was due to the wide definition of drug dealing. – Sapa

Agliotti — who is allegedly the ”landlord” in charge of the smuggling network — was later added to the charge sheet.

Agliotti — a friend of police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi — is due to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court on January 22 for the murder of Kebble.

Nassif has turned state witness against Agliotti in the Kebble murder trial – Sapa