The fifth state witness, security consultant Stephen Sanders, who began testifying this morning, has just concluded his testimony and an unnamed police officer is to take the stand next in the South Gauteng High Court.
Sanders was a colleague of mining magnate Brett Kebble’s security boss, Clinton Nassif.
Sanders testified that Selebi met with him and Nassif, as well as convicted drug lord Glenn Agliotti at a posh Melrose Arch Restaurant so often, that the establishment had a "special steak knife inscribed with Commissioner Selebi".
Sanders told the court that during the lunch meeting with his business associate, Nassif, Selebi, Agliotti and Selebi's close friend and former secretary, Ntombi Matshoba, a waiter presented the knife to Selebi. "I noticed that there was a cabinet at the entrance with a whole lot of knives with important people's names on them," Sanders said.
He also told the court that he had met Selebi after he had gone into business with Nassif in 2004. The two created a company, Central National Security Group.
Sanders, the operational director of CNSG he was introduced to Agliotti during a game of golf.
"Mr Nassif said the reason for meeting Mr Agliotti was because he had close ties with the then commissioner of police, Jackie Selebi. Mr Selebi was unhappy with a private security company called Palto doing work for the SAPS."
“The plan was that CNSG could perform those services, such as drug busts and monitoring the illegal transportation of containers across boarders for SAPS in place of Palto.”
Sanders testified that he later met Selebi with Agliotti in Midrand: "[Selebi] arrived in his black Mercedes Benz and was wearing full police uniform."
Sanders said at another meeting at the Melrose Arch restaurant, Selebi discussed the possiblity of "another project for us" which would involve sending 80 policemen to the Sudan.
"The accused then said he had international funding and it was to his discrection how the funding was spent. The accused [Selebi] put a document on the table and pushed it to the centre of the table, where Nassif took it and browsed it before pushing it my way," Sanders said.
During another meeting – again at the Meat Company – Sanders said he, Nassif, Agliotti, Selebi and Jordanian billionaire Eyhab Jumean, who was married to South African model Gina Athans met in a private room at the back of restaurant.
"Mr Jumean told us that he was being blackmailed by Brad Wood from Big Brother fame, and that Wood had photos of his wife Gina," Sanders said, without going into further detail.
Earlier today, the Mail and Guardian, Avusa Media and Independent Newspapers requested access to all documents referred to in the trial, including witness affidavits and a KPMG audit into the former police commissioner's financial affairs. Both counsel agreed that the media could have access to certain exhibits and statements before court.
Dario Milo from law firm, Webber Wentzel, represented the media.
He said: "The principle of open justice requires that documents that have been proved before court, including affidavits of various witnesses and the KPMG report, should be made available to the media. We are elated that this was clarified by the parties and judge joffe. It can only enhance accurate and informed reporting on a case of such manifest public interest".
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