I am not a liar - Nassif
30 July 2010, 12:04
Omphitlhetse Mooki
Tempers flared in the Brett Kebble murder trial on Friday morning as Clinton Nassif lost his cool and banged his hands on the witness stand in protest against being called a liar.
This happened as emotionally charged discussions over events leading up to the shooting of Allan Gray auditor Stephen Mildenhall gained momentum in court 4C of the Johannesburg High court.
"I'm not a liar, your accused is a liar. I took responsibility for what I've done," Nassif said after defense counsel Laurance Hodes SC labelled him a "blatant liar" for changing his versions regarding events surrounding Mildenhall's shooting.
In his evidence in chief yesterday, Nassif said Agliotti had attended a meeting were Mildenhall's shooting was discussed. This was not included in a statement, made to the NPA.
"I'm putting it to you sir, you are a liar. Your statement took responsibility but your testimony is trying to blame the accused," said Hodes, driving Nassif to lose his cool and raise his voice.
Judge Frans Kgomo had to intervene to calm the two men down.
Hodes also argued that Nassif's evidence in chief was inconsistent with his section 204 statement, picking up contradictions. This related to a list of people Nassif said he was given by Kebble's business partener John Statton, which detailed people "causing problems for Kebble and Stratton".
"Mr Nassif, you are contradicting yourself. Who did Stratton give the list to? You or Steven Saunders?" asked Hodes.
In the section 204 statement, Nassif said the list was given to Saunders.
Nassif was head of security for slain mining magnate Brett Kebble. The court has heard how Agliotti had approached him to help in Kebble's "assisted suicide".
He datailed meetings with Agliotti and Stratton were Kebble's "assisted suicide was discussed".
One of the plots involned an untraceable tablet which had to induce a heart attack.
When he failed to get the tablet, options such as a shooting outside Kebble's house or a restaurant, and a hijacking were discussed.
This was over dinner at Kebble's Melrose home.
This breaking news flash was supplied exclusively to iol.co.za by the news desk at our sister title, The Star.
For more about this story, carry on watching iol.co.za or click here to subscribe to the digital or print edition of the newspaper.
Tempers flared in the Brett Kebble murder trial on Friday morning as Clinton Nassif lost his cool and banged his hands on the witness stand in protest against being called a liar.
This happened as emotionally charged discussions over events leading up to the shooting of Allan Gray auditor Stephen Mildenhall gained momentum in court 4C of the Johannesburg High court.
"I'm not a liar, your accused is a liar. I took responsibility for what I've done," Nassif said after defense counsel Laurance Hodes SC labelled him a "blatant liar" for changing his versions regarding events surrounding Mildenhall's shooting.
In his evidence in chief yesterday, Nassif said Agliotti had attended a meeting were Mildenhall's shooting was discussed. This was not included in a statement, made to the NPA.
"I'm putting it to you sir, you are a liar. Your statement took responsibility but your testimony is trying to blame the accused," said Hodes, driving Nassif to lose his cool and raise his voice.
Judge Frans Kgomo had to intervene to calm the two men down.
Hodes also argued that Nassif's evidence in chief was inconsistent with his section 204 statement, picking up contradictions. This related to a list of people Nassif said he was given by Kebble's business partener John Statton, which detailed people "causing problems for Kebble and Stratton".
"Mr Nassif, you are contradicting yourself. Who did Stratton give the list to? You or Steven Saunders?" asked Hodes.
In the section 204 statement, Nassif said the list was given to Saunders.
Nassif was head of security for slain mining magnate Brett Kebble. The court has heard how Agliotti had approached him to help in Kebble's "assisted suicide".
He datailed meetings with Agliotti and Stratton were Kebble's "assisted suicide was discussed".
One of the plots involned an untraceable tablet which had to induce a heart attack.
When he failed to get the tablet, options such as a shooting outside Kebble's house or a restaurant, and a hijacking were discussed.
This was over dinner at Kebble's Melrose home.
For more about this story, carry on watching iol.co.za or click here to subscribe to the digital or print edition of the newspaper.
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