By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@LebohangMashiloane.
Gauteng police have confirmed that Glenn Agliotti, the man at the centre of former police commissioner Jckie Selebi’s corruption trial, has died.
Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo confirmed that an inquest docket has been opened at the Douglasdale police station.
“A postmortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death,” said Masondo.
The cause of death has not been revealed.
A figure synonymous with South Africa’s underworld, Agliotti’s life was one punctuated by illegal activities, notorious associations, and high-profile court cases.
In 2006, he pleaded guilty to drug smuggling and was given a suspended sentence.
He was also alleged to be involved in the murder if mining magnate Brett Kebble, but was acquitted.
Agliotti also caused controversy when he admitted to being friends with Selebi.
He testified against Selebi in the top cop’s corruption trial. The court heard how Agliotti had given Selebi bribes and gifts and had received police information in return.
Selebi was sentenced to 15 years for taking Agliotti’s bribes.
In the book, Glenn Agliotti, A Biography by Peter Piegl and Sean Newman, the businessman admitted that he had no choice but to testify against Selebi.
Selebi was granted medical parole less than a year into his prison term. He died in 2015.