Nic Dawes Author

<i>M&G</i> editor Nic Dawes reflects on <i>Precedent and Possibility: The (Ab)use of Law in South Africa</i>, co-authored by Judge Dennis Davis.

A police headquarters investigation three years ago gathered damning evidence against Glenn Agliotti — giving the lie to police Commissioner Jackie Selebi’s claim that he did not know his friend was a crook. The investigation gathered evidence not only of Agliotti’s allegedly criminal activities, but also of his involvement with Palto, a squad of "freelance" operatives who used Selebi and the police as their cover.

The arrest of Glenn Agliotti on suspicion of murdering mining magnate Brett Kebble has opened perhaps the biggest can of worms in South Africa’s criminal history. The arrest could have grave implications for police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, who famously called Agliotti "my friend, finish and <i>klaar</i>".