Clinton Nassif, the former security chief of murdered mining magnate Brett Kebble, has turned state witness against Glenn Agliotti in a drug-dealing case.
Nassif, who appeared in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges relating to drug dealing, entered into a plea bargain with the Scorpions.
He has also turned state witness against Agliotti in the Kebble murder trial, expected to be heard in January next year.
Scorpions prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court that Nassif turned state witness following negotiations.
”An agreement was reached to enter into the plea agreement of section 105A of the Criminal Procedures Act. It was agreed that Nassif be sentenced to 10 years in prison with a five-year suspension,” said Nel.
Nassif was arrested on Tuesday in connection with his involvement in a syndicate believed to be headed by Agliotti that was to export R250-million-worth of drugs to the United States.
Initially, Nassif had not known about the drugs that had been stored in an Alberton storage facility until he was told by Kebble in 2005. The drugs — 1 114kg of dagga and 2 064kg of hashish — were then seized.
The plea bargain states that Nassif has to pay £8 000 at the present rate of exchange — which he received from Kebble in exchange for storing the drugs — into the criminal assets recovery account.
”This [money] must be paid to the assets recovery account within six months,” said magistrate James van Wyk, adding that the former security chief should give evidence honestly and not be found guilty of any other drug-dealing charges.
”This is not a slap on the wrist; if found guilty of drug-dealing charges again, you will be arrested,” said Van Wyk to Nassif, who nodded his head in understanding.
Speaking to journalists outside the court, Nassif’s attorney, Marius du Toit du Toit, said the five-year-suspension was due to a ”technicality” as a result of the wide definition of drug dealing.
”I am relieved,” said a calm-looking Nassif.
The drug syndicate allegedly involved Nassif, Agliotti, Stephanos and Dimitrio Paparas and Stanley Poonin. Agliotti, who is a friend of police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, and the other accused will appear in court on drug-dealing charges in March next year. — Sapa