An insurance fraud case against Brett Kebble’s security chief, Clinton Nassif, who has also been implicated in the murder of his boss, was postponed in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The postponement was made in order to allow Nassif’s lawyers and the state to negotiate a plea bargain.
Nassif’s lawyer, Marius du Toit, told the magistrate that he was negotiating a plea agreement with the state.
”Both parties are not ready yet,” the state told the magistrate.
Just before appearing in court, Nassif, wearing a dark pin-striped suit and red tie, looked relaxed as he spoke to his lawyers.
It has been reported that Nassif asked for blanket immunity from prosecution in exchange for testimony relating to a number of charges against businessman Glenn Agliotti.
Agliotti stands accused of the murder of Kebble. Kebble was shot dead in 2005.
Nassif’s case was postponed until February 28 2008 for plea and sentencing.
Nassif was arrested last October by the Scorpions, who were probing contraband networks around Kebble.
Nassif was granted bail of R300 000 on October 27 2006.
The fraud charge against him related to his alleged forwarding of a false insurance claim for a damaged vehicle.
National Prosecuting Authority advocate Gerrie Nel earlier said that the value was R900 000.
However, it was understood that the arrest flowed from a wider Scorpions’ probe into smuggling syndicates involving the investigation of both Nassif and Agliotti.
Nassif played a controversial role in the Kebble murder by allegedly ordering the premature removal from police custody of the car Kebble was driving when he was shot in September 2005.
Nassif had reportedly sold all his assets and was planning to leave the country before his arrest.
In October, Nassif turned state witness against Agliotti in a drug-dealing case.
He appeared in court on drug-dealing charges and entered into a plea bargain with the Scorpions.
He also turned state witness against Agliotti in the Kebble murder trial, expected to be heard in January 2008. — Sapa